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Clinically undiagnosed active tuberculosis. Experience from an autopsy material
Acta Medica Scandinavica
|January 1, 1977
Summary
Clinically undiagnosed active tuberculosis (CUDAT) occurred in 0.1% of Danish autopsies. The miliary form was most common, often affecting elderly patients and leading to death.
Area of Science:
- Medical research
- Pathology
- Public health
Background:
- Active tuberculosis (TB) can remain clinically undiagnosed.
- Autopsy studies provide insights into disease incidence and characteristics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of clinically undiagnosed active tuberculosis (CUDAT) in autopsy material.
- To describe the characteristics and predominant forms of CUDAT.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of autopsy cases from Denmark (1969-1974).
- Calculation of CUDAT incidence based on autopsy findings.
Main Results:
- CUDAT incidence was 0.1% (1 in 895 autopsies), representing a minimum value.
- Miliary tuberculosis was the predominant form of CUDAT.
- CUDAT was most frequently observed in elderly patients from medical wards.
Conclusions:
- Undiagnosed active tuberculosis, particularly the miliary form, is a significant finding in autopsy data.
- Elderly patients and those with comorbidities like malignancies treated with immunosuppressants are at higher risk.
- Fever is a common clinical sign in miliary tuberculosis.