Tuberculose e gênero em um município prioritário no estado do Rio de Janeiro

Abstract

The objective of this study was to compare gender differences among tuberculosis patients in a city with a high incidence of tuberculosis. This was a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study involving 560 tuberculosis patients (373 males and 187 females). Sociodemographic and clinical data, as well as data related to diagnostic criteria and treatment outcome, were collected (from the questionnaires and medical records) and subsequently compared between the genders. The median time from symptom onset to diagnosis was 90 days. There were no differences between the genders regarding the clinical presentation, diagnostic criteria, previous noncompliance with treatment, time from symptom onset, number of medical appointments prior to diagnosis, or treatment outcome. Gender-specific approaches are not a priority in Brazil. However, regardless of patient gender, the delay in diagnosis is a major concern.Keywords: Poverty; Tuberculosis; Income. ResumoO objetivo deste estudo foi comparar diferenças entre os gêneros nos pacientes com tuberculose em uma cidade com alta incidência da doença. Este foi um estudo transversal com base em questionário envolvendo 560 pacientes com tuberculose (373 homens e 187 mulheres). Características sociodemográficas e clínicas, assim como critérios diagnósticos e desfecho do tratamento, foram coletados dos questionários e fichas médicas e posteriormente comparados entre os gêneros. A mediana do tempo do surgimento de sintomas até o diagnóstico foi de 90 dias. Não foram encontradas diferenças entre os gêneros relativas à apresentação clínica, critério diagnóstico, abandono prévio de tratamento, tempo do surgimento de sintomas, número de consultas antes do diagnóstico ou desfecho do tratamento. A abordagem diferenciada para os gêneros não é uma prioridade no Brasil. A demora no diagnóstico, no entanto, é um problema maior a despeito do gênero.

Tendência da mortalidade por tuberculose no estado do Paraná, Brasil – 1998 a 2012

“…Corroborating the findings of this study, researches 24,25 have been showing that the high prevalence of mortality from tuberculosis for males is commonly related to increased exposure to the bacillus in work activities and greater frequency of risk behaviors. However, there is evidence that women are more susceptible to the progression of the disease, from infection to the active disease, and, probably, there are differences in immune response according to sex 26 . Women neglect the disease and face barriers in the access to health services, indicating a possible bias in Table 2.…”

“…Women neglect the disease and face barriers in the access to health services, indicating a possible bias in Table 2. Trends of tuberculosis mortality rates by sex and age group, Paraná, 1998-2012. known statistics on the disease in different countries 26 .…”

The Reality of Tuberculosis in Brazilian Prisons

“…The superiority of TB cases in males may be related to behavioral factors of men, by gender have lower levels of care with their health, compared to females, and access to health services is delayed, as well as health promotion, disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment of health aggravations [7].…”

Occurrence of tuberculosis cases in Crato, Ceará, from 2002 to 2011: a spatial analisys of specific standards

“…This fact would also lead to late diagnosis, once primary care and medium complexity services have restricted working hours, which are the same as the working hours of these individuals. So, they do not look for care for fear of losing their job, in case they miss or arrive late due to the disease [13][14][15] . Even though most cases and deaths caused by TB occur among men, the disease load among women is also high.…”