Diagnostic Delay in Tuberculosis and Its Consequences

Objectives: To find out the average duration from onset of symptoms to the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis, reasons for diagnostic delay, its consequences, association of variables and formulation of recommendations. Design: Hospital based cross-sectional study, conducted on 115 randomly selected patients. Setting: Lyari Chest Clinic and Nazimabad Chest Clinic in Karachi. Results: In this study it was found that average time from onset of initial symptoms to diagnosis and treatment of Tuberculosis was 120 days. In 64% of the patients medical practitioners were responsible for delaying the diagnosis of tuberculosis. Loss of weight in 40% and haemoptysis is 21% were the consequences of diagnostic delay of Tuberculosis. Delay in the diagnosis of tuberculosis was statistically significant in those patients who consulted private practitioners, and consequences of tuberculosis were severe in those patients who consulted late.