Extrapulmonary tuberculosis in Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar, NWFP, Pakistan: survey of biopsy results.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis is a disease of poor countries. In the recent years, there has been an increase in the occurrence of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) world over. As very little data is available regarding the situation of EPTB in NWFP, this study was conducted to asses its frequency in various organ systems of the body and to evaluate the role of demographic factors like sex and age in its causation.

METHODS: A total of 525 cases of EPTB diagnosed histopathologically in the Department of Pathology, Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar in the years 2002-2005 were included in the study. Age, sex and sites of biopsies were recorded.

RESULTS: High female preponderance was noted with a M:F ratio of 1:2. Mean age was 35 years and 70% of the patients were in the age group 15-45 years. Lymph nodes were the most common site of EPTB, involved in 66.4% of the cases.

CONCLUSION: EPTB has high rates in females in their reproductive age. Tuberculous lymphadenitis is the most common form of EPTB. High occurrence of EPTB in female population needs immediate attention of tuberculosis control programs.