H.N. Reliance Foundation Hospital releases a study on TB in women

A new research on TB in women was published by H.N. Reliance Foundation Hospital.

According to the research, 10.6 million individuals worldwide—including 5.8 million men, 3.5 million women, and 1.3 million children—were expected to have had tuberculosis in 2022.

Globally, there have been reports of gender differences in tuberculosis. With a worldwide male-to-female ratio of 1.6:1, males are diagnosed with TB at a higher rate than women. However, compared to males, women are more likely to get severe forms of TB and TB-HIV infection. A major worldwide public health problem, tuberculosis (TB) disproportionately affects women, especially in India.

This study’s research highlights the necessity for specialized therapies by examining the difficulties and issues three dead female TB patients encountered. The following characteristics were shared by these three Indian female TB patients: low body mass index (BMI), advanced illness, immunocompromised condition, and delayed diagnosis. All three cases were at an advanced stage.

The research delves deeply into therapy outcomes, test results, and clinical data. According to this research, three female patients, ages 31, 55, and 72, had severe drug-sensitive tuberculosis infections and died of the illness in spite of receiving the best care possible.

Despite having a Mycobacterium TB diagnosis, the patients had poor prognostic markers such anemia and hypoalbuminemia. The severity of the illness and its consequences that led to mortality were exacerbated by delayed diagnosis and adequate treatment beginning, comorbidities, the stigma associated with tuberculosis, and a lack of funding. The clinical course and severity of tuberculosis in Indian girls are complicated by comorbidities, delayed diagnosis, and delayed treatment beginning.

According to the study, better treatment outcomes and a lower overall disease burden will result from early case detection, timely initiation of appropriate treatment, managing health by focusing interventions that address socioeconomic determinants and gender-specific barriers, and putting one’s own health before that of one’s family.