Long-term respiratory outcomes after COVID-19: a Brazilian cohort study.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence and risk factors for persistent symptoms up to 12 months after hospital discharge in COVID-19 survivors. Methods: This prospective cohort study included patients with COVID-19 discharged from a university hospital in Brazil. Follow-up was performed 2, 6, and 12 months after discharge. Lung function tests and chest computed tomography (CT) were performed 2 months after discharge and were repeated if abnormal. The primary outcomes were the symptoms present, work status, and limitations in daily activities. Results: Eighty-eight patients were included. Dyspnea (54.5%), fatigue (50.0%), myalgia, and muscle weakness (46.6%) were the most common symptoms, which decreased over time. Anxiety was frequent (46.6%) and remained unchanged. One year after discharge, 43.2% of the patients reported limitations in daily activities, and 17.6% had not returned to work. Corticosteroid use was significantly associated with dyspnea and limitations in daily activities. Females had an increased risk of fatigue at the 12-month assessment, with marginal significance after multivariable adjustment. Young age and bronchial wall thickening on admission CT were also risk factors for dyspnea at follow-up. The most common lung function abnormalities were reduced diffusion capacity and small airway disease, which partially improved over time. Conclusions: One year after hospital discharge, more than one-third of patients still had persistent COVID-19-related symptoms, remarkable dyspnea, fatigue, and limitations in daily activities, regardless of acute disease severity. Age, female sex, corticosteroid use during hospitalization, and bronchial thickening on admission CT were associated with an increased risk of sequelae.

Long-term respiratory outcomes after COVID-19: a Brazilian cohort study

[ABSTRACT]. Objective. To investigate the prevalence and risk factors for persistent symptoms up to 12 months after hospi- tal discharge in COVID-19 survivors. Methods. This prospective cohort study included patients with COVID-19 discharged from a university hos- pital in Brazil. Follow-up was performed 2, 6, and 12 months after discharge. Lung function tests and chest computed tomography (CT) were performed 2 months after discharge and were repeated if abnormal. The primary outcomes were the symptoms present, work status, and limitations in daily activities. Results. Eighty-eight patients were included. Dyspnea (54.5%), fatigue (50.0%), myalgia, and muscle weak- ness (46.6%) were the most common symptoms, which decreased over time. Anxiety was frequent (46.6%) and remained unchanged. One year after discharge, 43.2% of the patients reported limitations in daily activ- ities, and 17.6% had not returned to work. Corticosteroid use was significantly associated with dyspnea and limitations in daily activities. Females had an increased risk of fatigue at the 12-month assessment, with mar- ginal significance after multivariable adjustment. Young age and bronchial wall thickening on admission CT were also risk factors for dyspnea at follow-up. The most common lung function abnormalities were reduced diffusion capacity and small airway disease, which partially improved over time. Conclusions. One year after hospital discharge, more than one-third of patients still had persistent COVID-19- related symptoms, remarkable dyspnea, fatigue, and limitations in daily activities, regardless of acute disease severity. Age, female sex, corticosteroid use during hospitalization, and bronchial thickening on admission CT were associated with an increased risk of sequelae.

[RESUMEN]. Objetivo. Investigar la prevalencia y los factores de riesgo de los síntomas persistentes de la COVID-19 hasta 12 meses después del alta hospitalaria en pacientes sobrevivientes de esta enfermedad. Métodos. Este estudio prospectivo de cohorte incluyó pacientes con COVID-19 que recibieron el alta de un hospital universitario en Brasil. El seguimiento se hizo a los 2, 6 y 12 meses del alta. Se realizaron pruebas de función pulmonar y tomografía computarizada de tórax dos meses después del alta y se repitieron si los resul- tados eran anormales. Los resultados primarios investigados fueron síntomas presentes, situación laboral y limitaciones en las actividades diarias. Resultados. Se incluyeron 88 pacientes. Los síntomas más comunes fueron disnea (54,5%), fatiga (50,0%), mialgia y debilidad muscular (46,6%), que disminuyeron con el tiempo. La ansiedad fue frecuente (46,6%) y se mantuvo sin cambios. Un año después del alta, 43,2% de los pacientes notificaron limitaciones en las actividades diarias, y 17,6% no se había reincorporado al trabajo. El consumo de corticosteroides se asoció significativamente con disnea y limitaciones en las actividades diarias. Las mujeres tuvieron un mayor riesgo de fatiga en la evaluación a los 12 meses, con una importancia marginal después del ajuste multivariable. También fueron factores de riesgo de disnea en el seguimiento: edad temprana y engrosamiento de las pare- des bronquiales en la tomografía computarizada al momento del ingreso hospitalario. Las anomalías más comunes de la función pulmonar fueron la reducción de la capacidad de difusión y la enfermedad de las vías respiratorias pequeñas, que mejoraron parcialmente con el tiempo. Conclusiones. Un año después del alta hospitalaria, más de un tercio de los pacientes todavía tenían sín- tomas persistentes relacionados con la COVID-19, disnea notable, fatiga y limitaciones en las actividades diarias, independientemente de la gravedad aguda de la enfermedad. La edad, el sexo femenino, el uso de corticosteroides durante la hospitalización y el engrosamiento bronquial en la tomografía computarizada al momento del ingreso hospitalario se asociaron con un mayor riesgo de secuelas.

[RESUMO]. Objetivo. Investigar a prevalência e os fatores de risco para sintomas persistentes por até 12 meses após a alta hospitalar entre sobreviventes da COVID-19. Métodos. Este estudo de coorte prospectivo incluiu pacientes com COVID-19 que receberam alta de um hos- pital universitário do Brasil. O acompanhamento foi realizado 2, 6 e 12 meses após a alta. Testes de função pulmonar e tomografia computadorizada (TC) do tórax foram realizados 2 meses após a alta hospitalar e repetidos em caso de resultados alterados. Os desfechos primários foram os sintomas presentes, a situação de trabalho e as limitações nas atividades diárias. Resultados. Foram incluídos 88 pacientes. Dispneia (54,5%), fadiga (50,0%), mialgia e fraqueza muscular (46,6%) foram os sintomas mais comuns, que diminuíram com o tempo. A ansiedade era frequente (46,6%) e permaneceu inalterada. Um ano após a alta, 43,2% dos pacientes relatavam limitações nas atividades diárias e 17,6% não haviam retornado ao trabalho. O uso de corticosteroides estava significativamente asso- ciado à dispneia e a limitações nas atividades diárias. Pacientes do sexo feminino tinham um risco maior de fadiga na avaliação de 12 meses, com significância marginal após ajuste multivariado. A idade jovem e o espessamento da parede brônquica na TC de admissão também eram fatores de risco para dispneia no acompanhamento. As alterações mais comuns da função pulmonar foram capacidade de difusão reduzida e doença das pequenas vias aéreas, que melhoraram parcialmente com o tempo. Conclusões. Um ano após a alta hospitalar, mais de um terço dos pacientes ainda apresentava sintomas persistentes relacionados à COVID-19, dispneia marcante, fadiga e limitações nas atividades diárias, inde- pendentemente da gravidade da doença aguda. A idade, o sexo feminino, o uso de corticosteroides durante a internação e o espessamento brônquico na TC de admissão estavam associados a um maior risco de sequelas.

Long-term respiratory outcomes after COVID-19: a Brazilian cohort study / Resultados respiratorios a largo plazo tras la COVID-19: estudio de cohorte en Brasil / Desfechos respiratórios de longo prazo pós-COVID-19: estudo de coorte brasileiro

ABSTRACT Objective. To investigate the prevalence and risk factors for persistent symptoms up to 12 months after hospital discharge in COVID-19 survivors. Methods. This prospective cohort study included patients with COVID-19 discharged from a university hospital in Brazil. Follow-up was performed 2, 6, and 12 months after discharge. Lung function tests and chest computed tomography (CT) were performed 2 months after discharge and were repeated if abnormal. The primary outcomes were the symptoms present, work status, and limitations in daily activities. Results. Eighty-eight patients were included. Dyspnea (54.5%), fatigue (50.0%), myalgia, and muscle weakness (46.6%) were the most common symptoms, which decreased over time. Anxiety was frequent (46.6%) and remained unchanged. One year after discharge, 43.2% of the patients reported limitations in daily activities, and 17.6% had not returned to work. Corticosteroid use was significantly associated with dyspnea and limitations in daily activities. Females had an increased risk of fatigue at the 12-month assessment, with marginal significance after multivariable adjustment. Young age and bronchial wall thickening on admission CT were also risk factors for dyspnea at follow-up. The most common lung function abnormalities were reduced diffusion capacity and small airway disease, which partially improved over time. Conclusions. One year after hospital discharge, more than one-third of patients still had persistent COVID-19-related symptoms, remarkable dyspnea, fatigue, and limitations in daily activities, regardless of acute disease severity. Age, female sex, corticosteroid use during hospitalization, and bronchial thickening on admission CT were associated with an increased risk of sequelae.

RESUMEN Objetivo. Investigar la prevalencia y los factores de riesgo de los síntomas persistentes de la COVID-19 hasta 12 meses después del alta hospitalaria en pacientes sobrevivientes de esta enfermedad. Métodos. Este estudio prospectivo de cohorte incluyó pacientes con COVID-19 que recibieron el alta de un hospital universitario en Brasil. El seguimiento se hizo a los 2, 6 y 12 meses del alta. Se realizaron pruebas de función pulmonar y tomografía computarizada de tórax dos meses después del alta y se repitieron si los resultados eran anormales. Los resultados primarios investigados fueron síntomas presentes, situación laboral y limitaciones en las actividades diarias. Resultados. Se incluyeron 88 pacientes. Los síntomas más comunes fueron disnea (54,5%), fatiga (50,0%), mialgia y debilidad muscular (46,6%), que disminuyeron con el tiempo. La ansiedad fue frecuente (46,6%) y se mantuvo sin cambios. Un año después del alta, 43,2% de los pacientes notificaron limitaciones en las actividades diarias, y 17,6% no se había reincorporado al trabajo. El consumo de corticosteroides se asoció significativamente con disnea y limitaciones en las actividades diarias. Las mujeres tuvieron un mayor riesgo de fatiga en la evaluación a los 12 meses, con una importancia marginal después del ajuste multivariable. También fueron factores de riesgo de disnea en el seguimiento: edad temprana y engrosamiento de las paredes bronquiales en la tomografía computarizada al momento del ingreso hospitalario. Las anomalías más comunes de la función pulmonar fueron la reducción de la capacidad de difusión y la enfermedad de las vías respiratorias pequeñas, que mejoraron parcialmente con el tiempo. Conclusiones. Un año después del alta hospitalaria, más de un tercio de los pacientes todavía tenían síntomas persistentes relacionados con la COVID-19, disnea notable, fatiga y limitaciones en las actividades diarias, independientemente de la gravedad aguda de la enfermedad. La edad, el sexo femenino, el uso de corticosteroides durante la hospitalización y el engrosamiento bronquial en la tomografía computarizada al momento del ingreso hospitalario se asociaron con un mayor riesgo de secuelas.

RESUMO Objetivo. Investigar a prevalência e os fatores de risco para sintomas persistentes por até 12 meses após a alta hospitalar entre sobreviventes da COVID-19. Métodos. Este estudo de coorte prospectivo incluiu pacientes com COVID-19 que receberam alta de um hospital universitário do Brasil. O acompanhamento foi realizado 2, 6 e 12 meses após a alta. Testes de função pulmonar e tomografia computadorizada (TC) do tórax foram realizados 2 meses após a alta hospitalar e repetidos em caso de resultados alterados. Os desfechos primários foram os sintomas presentes, a situação de trabalho e as limitações nas atividades diárias. Resultados. Foram incluídos 88 pacientes. Dispneia (54,5%), fadiga (50,0%), mialgia e fraqueza muscular (46,6%) foram os sintomas mais comuns, que diminuíram com o tempo. A ansiedade era frequente (46,6%) e permaneceu inalterada. Um ano após a alta, 43,2% dos pacientes relatavam limitações nas atividades diárias e 17,6% não haviam retornado ao trabalho. O uso de corticosteroides estava significativamente associado à dispneia e a limitações nas atividades diárias. Pacientes do sexo feminino tinham um risco maior de fadiga na avaliação de 12 meses, com significância marginal após ajuste multivariado. A idade jovem e o espessamento da parede brônquica na TC de admissão também eram fatores de risco para dispneia no acompanhamento. As alterações mais comuns da função pulmonar foram capacidade de difusão reduzida e doença das pequenas vias aéreas, que melhoraram parcialmente com o tempo. Conclusões. Um ano após a alta hospitalar, mais de um terço dos pacientes ainda apresentava sintomas persistentes relacionados à COVID-19, dispneia marcante, fadiga e limitações nas atividades diárias, independentemente da gravidade da doença aguda. A idade, o sexo feminino, o uso de corticosteroides durante a internação e o espessamento brônquico na TC de admissão estavam associados a um maior risco de sequelas.

Impact of smoking on sputum culture conversion and pulmonary tuberculosis treatment outcomes in Brazil: a retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of smoking on pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) treatment outcomes and the two-month conversion rates for Mycobacterium tuberculosis sputum cultures among patients with culture-confirmed PTB in an area with a moderate incidence of tuberculosis in Brazil. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of PTB patients diagnosed and treated at the Thoracic Diseases Institute of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro between 2004 and 2012. RESULTS: Of the 298 patients diagnosed with PTB during the study period, 174 were included in the outcome analysis: 97 (55.7%) were never-smokers, 31 (17.8%) were former smokers, and 46 (26.5%) were current smokers. Smoking was associated with a delay in sputum culture conversion at the end of the second month of TB treatment (relative risk = 3.58 &091;95% CI: 1.3-9.86&093;; p = 0.01), as well as with poor treatment outcomes (relative risk = 6.29 &091;95% CI: 1.57-25.21&093;; p = 0.009). The association between smoking and a positive culture in the second month of treatment was statistically significant among the current smokers (p = 0.027). CONCLUSIONS: In our sample, the probability of a delay in sputum culture conversion was higher in current smokers than in never-smokers, as was the probability of a poor treatment outcome.

Impact of smoking on sputum culture conversion and pulmonary tuberculosis treatment outcomes in Brazil: a retrospective cohort study / Impacto do tabagismo na conversão de cultura e no desfecho do tratamento da tuberculose pulmonar no Brasil: estudo de coorte retrospectivo

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the impact of smoking on pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) treatment outcomes and the two-month conversion rates for Mycobacterium tuberculosis sputum cultures among patients with culture-confirmed PTB in an area with a moderate incidence of tuberculosis in Brazil. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of PTB patients diagnosed and treated at the Thoracic Diseases Institute of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro between 2004 and 2012. Results: Of the 298 patients diagnosed with PTB during the study period, 174 were included in the outcome analysis: 97 (55.7%) were never-smokers, 31 (17.8%) were former smokers, and 46 (26.5%) were current smokers. Smoking was associated with a delay in sputum culture conversion at the end of the second month of TB treatment (relative risk = 3.58 &091;95% CI: 1.3-9.86&093;; p = 0.01), as well as with poor treatment outcomes (relative risk = 6.29 &091;95% CI: 1.57-25.21&093;; p = 0.009). The association between smoking and a positive culture in the second month of treatment was statistically significant among the current smokers (p = 0.027). Conclusions: In our sample, the probability of a delay in sputum culture conversion was higher in current smokers than in never-smokers, as was the probability of a poor treatment outcome.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar o impacto do tabagismo no desfecho do tratamento da tuberculose pulmonar (TBP) e na taxa de conversão da cultura de Mycobacterium tuberculosis no escarro ao final do segundo mês de tratamento em pacientes com TBP confirmada por cultura em um local com incidência de tuberculose moderada no Brasil. Métodos: Estudo de coorte retrospectivo envolvendo pacientes com TBP diagnosticados e tratados no Instituto de Doenças do Tórax da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro entre 2004 e 2012. Resultados: De 298 pacientes com diagnóstico confirmado de TBP no período do estudo, 174 foram incluídos na análise dos desfechos: 97 nunca fumaram (55,7%), 31 eram ex-tabagistas (17,8%), e 46 eram tabagistas atuais (26,5%). O tabagismo foi associado ao atraso na conversão da cultura do final do segundo mês do tratamento (risco relativo = 3,58 &091;IC95%: 1,30-9,86&093;; p = 0,01), assim como ao desfecho de tratamento não favorável (risco relativo = 6,29 &091;IC95%: 1,57-25,21&093;; p = 0,009). A associação entre tabagismo e cultura positiva ao final do segundo mês de tratamento foi estatisticamente significante entre os tabagistas atuais (p = 0.027). Conclusões: Nesta amostra, os pacientes tabagistas atuais apresentaram uma maior probabilidade de atraso na conversão da cultura após dois meses de tratamento e de desfecho de tratamento não favorável do que aqueles que nunca fumaram.

Yield of close contact tracing using two different programmatic approaches from tuberculosis index cases: a retrospective quasi-experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Being a contact of a pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) case is a risk factor for active and latent TB. The objective of this study is to determine the contact tracing yield using two different programmatic definitions of close contact in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. METHODS: This is a retrospective quasi-experimental study. Data were obtained by reviewing the medical records from TB index cases and their close contacts admitted to the Outpatient TB Clinic of the Institute of Thoracic Diseases, University of Rio de Janeiro. From January 2001 to December 2004, a close contact was defined as an individual who shared an enclosed space with a TB index case for a total period of ≥ 100 hours, whereas from January 2005 to December 2008 the definition of close contact was changed to an individual who shared an enclosed space with a TB index case ≥ 4 hours a week. The primary outcome of this study was newly diagnosed pulmonary TB cases and the secondary outcome was the prevalence of latent TB infection (LTBI) among close contacts during both periods. RESULTS: From 2001-2004, 810 close contacts from 257 index cases were evaluated and the prevalence of active TB and LTBI were 2% (16/810) and 62% (496/794), respectively. From 2005-2008, 1,310 close contacts from 369 index cases were identified and the prevalence of active TB and LTBI were 2.7% (35/1,310) and 69% (877/1,275), respectively. There was not a statically significant difference in the detection of active TB (p = 0.3) between the 2 time periods, but the detection of LTBI was significant higher (p = 0.003). The number needed to screen (contacts/new cases) decreased from 50 to 37 and the number need to contact trace (index cases/new cases) decreased from 16 to 10 from 2001-2004 to 2005-2008. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the findings of this study suggest that the less conservative definition of TB close contacts (sharing space ≥ 4 h/week) can be a helpful tool for increasing the rate of diagnosis for newly active pulmonary TB cases and for the detection of LTBI among contacts of active pulmonary TB cases.

Understanding and retention of trial-related information among participants in a clinical trial after completing the informed consent process.

BACKGROUND METHODS: for assessing the level of understanding of trial-related information during the informed consent (IC) process in developing countries are lacking. PURPOSE: To assess the understanding and retention of trial-related information presented in the IC process by administering an informed consent assessment instrument (ICAI) to participants in a clinical trial for a new tuberculosis (TB) regimen being conducted in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). Methods The format of the ICAI was based on the language and structure of the United States National Cancer Institute's IC comprehension checklist. The ICAI was designed to assess points of the RioMAR study IC process that addressed the principles of research ethics requested by Brazilian Regulatory Authority: autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. Briefly, (1) Is the respondent participating in a clinical trial? (2) Are two different treatments being evaluated? (3) Is the treatment arm chosen by chance? (4) Is an HIV test required? (5) Are liver function tests required? (6) Can participants leave the study at any time? (7) Are the risks and benefits of taking part in the study clear? (8) May pregnant women participate in the study? (9) Can one of the study drugs reduce the effectiveness of contraceptives? (10) Are patients paid to participate in the study? The ICAI was applied at two time points: immediately after enrollment in the clinical trial and 2 months later. RESULTS: A total of 61 patients who enrolled in the RioMAR study participated in this study. The percentage of correct answers to all questions was 82% at the time of the first ICAI; 31 participants (51%) did not recall that an HIV test was required (question 4) and 43 (70%) did not know that they could leave the study (question 6). Other individual questions were answered correctly by at least 76% of participants. There was no association between incorrect answers and age, gender, monthly family income, neighborhood, or level of education (p > 0.07). When the responses to the first and the second ICAI questions were compared, 15% or more of participants had conflicting answers to 5 of the 10 questions. LIMITATIONS: The ICAI uses dichotomous responses, leading to a 50% chance of guessing the correct answers. Two questions were asked only of women. Finally, only 6 of the 10 questions on the current version of the ICAI apply to most trials; others are trial-specific. CONCLUSIONS: The ICAI may be adapted to an individual trial and may prove to be a useful tool following a consent discussion to identify issues not fully understood by the research participants, thus prompting study staff to re-explain topics, possibly in a more elementary manner.

Time from symptom onset to the initiation of treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis in a city with a high incidence of the disease.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the time elapsed between the onset of symptoms and the initiation of treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis among treatment-naïve patients with positive results in sputum smear microscopy, and to evaluate the variables associated with delays in diagnosis and in treatment initiation. METHODS: This was a descriptive exploratory study involving 199 treatment-naïve tuberculosis patients > 12 years of age with AFB-positive sputum smear microscopy results between 2006 and 2008. At their first (treatment initiation) visit to a primary health care clinic in the city of Nova Iguaçu, Brazil, the patients were interviewed and their ancillary test results were reviewed. RESULTS: The medians (and respective interquartile ranges) of the time from symptom onset to the initiation of treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis, from symptom onset to seeking medical attention, from entry into care to diagnosis, and from entry into care to treatment initiation, in weeks, were 11 (6-24), 8 (4-20), 2 (1-8), and 1 (1-1), respectively. The variables gender, age, level of education, previous use of antibiotics, HIV status, site of first medical visit, and radiological extent of tuberculosis showed no associations with the time from entry into care to diagnosis and to treatment initiation. The main reason for the delay in seeking medical attention reported by the patients was their inability to recognize their symptoms as indicators of a disease. CONCLUSIONS: Among the patients studied, there was an unacceptably long delay between the onset of symptoms and the initiation of tuberculosis treatment.

Tempo entre o início dos sintomas e o tratamento de tuberculose pulmonar em um município com elevada incidência da doença / Time from symptom onset to the initiation of treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis in a city with a high incidence of the disease

OBJETIVO: Estimar o tempo entre o início dos sintomas e o início do tratamento de pacientes com tuberculose pulmonar virgens de tratamento e com resultado positivo na baciloscopia direta do escarro, assim como avaliar as variáveis associadas à demora no diagnóstico e no início do tratamento. MÉTODOS: Estudo descritivo exploratório em pacientes virgens de tratamento para tuberculose, com idade > 12 anos e resultado positivo para BAAR no escarro. Entre 2006 e 2008, os 199 pacientes incluídos no estudo foram entrevistados, e seus exames complementares foram revisados no momento da consulta para o início de tratamento para tuberculose em uma unidade básica de saúde no município de Nova Iguaçu (RJ). RESULTADOS: As medianas (e seus respectivos intervalos interquartílicos) para o tempo entre o início dos sintomas e o início do tratamento, o tempo até a procura por atendimento médico, o tempo até o diagnóstico e o tempo até o início do tratamento, em semanas, foram, respectivamente, 11 (6-24), 8 (4-20), 2 (1-8) e 1 (1-1).As variáveis gênero, idade, escolaridade, uso prévio de antibióticos, status HIV, local da primeira consulta médica e extensão radiológica da doença não se associaram ao tempo até o diagnóstico ou ao tempo até o início do tratamento. A principal razão para a demora dos pacientes em procurar o serviço de saúde foi sua dificuldade em reconhecer seus sintomas como indicativos de doença. CONCLUSÕES: Os tempos até o diagnóstico e até o início do tratamento para tuberculose foram inaceitavelmente longos na amostra estudada.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the time elapsed between the onset of symptoms and the initiation of treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis among treatment-naïve patients with positive results in sputum smear microscopy, and to evaluate the variables associated with delays in diagnosis and in treatment initiation. METHODS: This was a descriptive exploratory study involving 199 treatment-naïve tuberculosis patients > 12 years of age with AFB-positive sputum smear microscopy results between 2006 and 2008. At their first (treatment initiation) visit to a primary health care clinic in the city of Nova Iguaçu, Brazil, the patients were interviewed and their ancillary test results were reviewed. RESULTS: The medians (and respective interquartile ranges) of the time from symptom onset to the initiation of treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis, from symptom onset to seeking medical attention, from entry into care to diagnosis, and from entry into care to treatment initiation, in weeks, were 11 (6-24), 8 (4-20), 2 (1-8), and 1 (1-1), respectively. The variables gender, age, level of education, previous use of antibiotics, HIV status, site of first medical visit, and radiological extent of tuberculosis showed no associations with the time from entry into care to diagnosis and to treatment initiation. The main reason for the delay in seeking medical attention reported by the patients was their inability to recognize their symptoms as indicators of a disease. CONCLUSIONS: Among the patients studied, there was an unacceptably long delay between the onset of symptoms and the initiation of tuberculosis treatment.

Diagnóstico e tratamento da tuberculose latente / Diagnosis and Treatment of Latent Tuberculosis

A infecção por Mycobacterium tuberculosis é, na maioria dos casos, inicialmente contida pelo sistema imune e se torna latente. No entanto, a qualquer tempo, a doença pode se instalar, significando uma nova fonte de transmissão para a infecção de outras pessoas. O diagnóstico da tuberculose latente é feito pela positividade do teste tuberculínico associado à exclusão de tuberculose ativa. As indicações para o tratamento da tuberculose latente são estabelecidas de acordo com a enduração do teste tuberculínico e com o risco de adoecimento. A isoniazida ainda é o fármaco de escolha recomendado para o tratamento da tuberculose latente no Brasil, na dose de 5-10 mg/kg (até a dose máxima de 300 mg/dia) diariamente durante seis meses

Infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis is, in most cases, initially contained by the immune system and becomes latent. However, the disease can recur at any time, creating a new source of tuberculosis transmission. The diagnosis of latent tuberculosis is carried out on the basis of a positive tuberculin skin test result and the exclusion of active tuberculosis by the evaluation of symptoms and chest X-ray indings. The indications for the treatment of latent tuberculosis are established according to the tuberculin skin test induration and the risk of developing active tuberculosis. In Brazil, the drug of choice for the treatment for latent active tuberculosis is still isoniazid, at a daily dose of 5-10 mg/kg (up to a maximum of 300 mg/day) for six months