A prospective evaluation of patients with tuberculosis peritonitis

INTRODUCTION: Peritoneal tuberculosis is one of the common form of abdominal tuberculosis and leading cause of ascites in developing countries. We aimed to evaluate the distribution, demographic characteristics, physical examination findings, laboratory and imaging results of patients with tuberculous peritonitis in our clinic.
METHODS: A total of 21 patients diagnosed with tuberculous peritonitis admitted to Bakirkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk Education and Research Hospital, Clinic of Internal Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey, were prospectively included in the study. The distribution, demographic characteristics, physical examination findings, laboratory and imaging results of patient with tuberculous peritonitis were analysed
RESULTS: 19 of the cases (81.5%) were female, mean age was 27.6 years (range 15-57). Two cases (9.4%) had underlying disease or facilitators. One of the cases (4.7%) had active pulmonary tuberculosis. Accompanying abnormal laboratory findings; increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate in all patients (%100), anemia, increased ascitic fluid adenosine deaminase levels and increased serum CA-125 levels. Chest radiograph were normal in 13 (62%) of the patients. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was not isolated from any of the samples taken for culture of 21 cases. During the period of hospitalization, mortality was found in one person
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Peritoneal tuberculosis is common in developing countries such as our country and should be considered in patient with fever, weight loss, abdominal pain, ascites in differential diagnosis. Early diagnosis and treatment will be able to prevent development of complications and mortality