Vishnu Sharma M, Arora Vijay Kumar, Anupama N
Department of Respiratory Medicine, A. J. Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Kuntikana, Mangalore, Karnataka, India.
TB Association of India, India; Indian Journal of Tuberculosis, India.
Indian J Tuberc. 2022;69 Suppl 2:S205-S208. doi: 10.1016/j.ijtb.2022.10.001. Epub 2022 Oct 22.
Tuberculosis (TB) is a major infectious disease worldwide. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment reduces the transmission, morbidity and mortality in tuberculosis. Elderly (age >65 years) have many risk factors to develop tuberculosis. Recent survey in India showed incidence of TB higher in elderly. They may not have classical symptoms, clinical and radiological signs of TB which can lead to delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis. In addition, elderly have many comorbid and coexisting diseases which make diagnosis and treatment of TB challenging. Comorbidities, poor general health status and other medications may lead to increased drug adverse reactions and poor adherence to treatment in elderly. Hence special emphasis should be given to elderly for early diagnosis and treatment. Elderly with multiple comorbidities require individualized approach for better outcome.
结核病是全球主要的传染病。早期诊断和及时治疗可降低结核病的传播、发病率和死亡率。老年人（年龄>65岁）有许多患结核病的风险因素。印度最近的一项调查显示，老年人结核病发病率较高。他们可能没有结核病的典型症状、临床和放射学体征，这可能导致诊断延迟或误诊。此外，老年人有许多合并症和并存疾病，这使得结核病的诊断和治疗具有挑战性。合并症、总体健康状况不佳和其他药物治疗可能导致老年人药物不良反应增加和治疗依从性差。因此，应特别重视老年人的早期诊断和治疗。患有多种合并症的老年人需要采取个体化方法以获得更好的治疗效果。
