AFB microscopic examination of tuberculosis patients (50 years old or above) admitted in National Institute of Diseases of the Chest and Hospital (NIDCH)

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of the study is to focus on the AFB microscopic examination outcome of the patients (50 years old or above) to monitor whether they are responding to the anti-TB drug after one month of treatment or not. Methods and materials: In this study, AFB microscopic examination of the TB patients of 50 years old or above has been given the superior attention. Study patients have been selected randomly from the admitted patients in NIDCH. The reports of first and second (after one month of duration) AFB microscopic examination were compared to determine the level improvement. In total 20 patients were enrolled among them 7 were accessible for the follow up test. In order to compile the socio-demographic information a semi-structured questionnaire was prepared and filled up after taking the verbal consent from each patient. The haematological report of each patient at the beginning of disease identification was also assembled along with diagnosis report of AFB microscopic examination. Result: The overview of the study shows that among 7 patients 2 patients (28.5 %) were properly responding to the anti-TB treatment. These two patients showed all negative result in the second AFB microscopic examination report. Rest of the 5 patients (71.43 %) was slowly improving with the anti-TB drugs rather being all negative in the result of second test. Another important feature is that, although follow up diagnosis is an inseparable element of the management of TB disease but only 7 patients (35%) out of total 20 patients available to perform the follow up AFB microscopic examination after one month of the detection of disease and initiation of treatment. These five patients had smear positive result in any of the specimens of the second test. Another important finding of this preliminary study includes 15% patients having family history of tuberculosis. Both the patients with smoking habit and male gender were identical that is 85%. Discussion: Responding toward anti-TB medication was not rapid for every patients only 28.5% patients showed proper response to the treatment. Only 35 % were available for performing follow up test indicating the negligence of patients about the proper management of disease and the possibility of relapse. Conclusion: To finish off the overview of the study, it is evident that follow up tests are required to come to a concrete conclusion about the effectiveness of treatment. Even though, it shows that patients were responding towards the treatment but more effective management is required. Further follow up test of these patients will help to come in an unambiguous conclusion.