Characteristics and outcome determinants in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis in ICU

Background Severe tuberculosis requiring intensive care unit care is rare but commonly known to be of bad prognosis. The acute respiratory failure due to pulmonary infections is a common cause for ICU admission. However, despite their high mortality rate, the TB-related critical conditions are rarely reported. Most studies on critical care TB cases were not conducted in high TB burden areas and were retrospective in nature. Objective To identify potential prognostic factors and determinants of patient outcome in cases with pulmonary TB admitted to ICU. Subjects and methods This was a prospective observational study conducted on 51 patients with active pulmonary TB who required ICU admission for at least 24 h in ICU unit of Abbassia Chest Hospital during the period from January 1, 2018 till December 31, 2018. All patients were subjected to history and clinical examination, radiological and laboratory workup, and APACHI II score. Patients were diagnosed and managed according to National TB Control Guidelines in Egypt. Hospital course, complications and ICU stay period were monitored and were correlated to the outcome. Results Mean age of all studied patients was 42.9 +/- 16.4 years, 35 male (68.6%) and 16 females. There was Statistically significant correlation between patient outcome, and APACHE II score, arterial blood gases, duration of mechanical ventilation and the total ICU stay in days respectively. ICU complications occurred in 72.5% of patients and they were significantly correlated with patient outcome. Conclusion Pulmonary TB requiring ICU is rare but markedly of bad prognosis. Patients commonly admitted to ICU due to respiratory failure, sepsis, multi organ failure, ARDS and massive hemoptysis. Bad prognosis was related to respiratory failure, high APACHE II score, need for mechanical ventilation and its duration, ICU stay and related complications. Mechanical ventilation and APACHE II score were found to be predictors of mortality.