CHARACTERISTICS OF SMEAR-POSITIVE PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS WITH NORMAL CHEST RADIOGRAPHIC FINDINGS DURING A TUBERCULOSIS OUTBREAK IN NORTHEAST MALAYSIA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Mohd Redhuan Abdul Muin; Abu Bakar MohdYusof; Mohd Shahriman Ahmad Fuat; Nur Syafiqa Amri; Noor Faizah Amirudin; Wan Wahida Wan Mohd Zohdi; Idora Ibrahim; Arfah Ahmad; Irham Nordeena Muhammad; Abdul Jalil Ahmad; Jasmaniah Abdul Majid; Mohd Zukri bin Ibrahim

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CHARACTERISTICS OF SMEAR-POSITIVE PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS WITH NORMAL CHEST RADIOGRAPHIC FINDINGS DURING A TUBERCULOSIS OUTBREAK IN NORTHEAST MALAYSIA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Author: Mohd Redhuan Abdul Muin ¹ ; Abu Bakar Mohd.Yusof ² ; Mohd Shahriman Ahmad Fuat ³ ; Nur Syafiqa Amri ⁴ ; Noor Faizah Amirudin ⁵ ; Wan Wahida Wan Mohd Zohdi ⁶ ; Idora Ibrahim ⁷ ; Arfah Ahmad ⁸ ; Irham Nordeena Muhammad ⁹ ; Abdul Jalil Ahmad ⁵ ; Jasmaniah Abdul Majid ¹⁰ ; Mohd Zukri bin Ibrahim ¹¹
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1. Klinik Kesihatan Simpang Kuala, Jalan Kuala Kedah, Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia.
2. Klinik Kesihatan Lubuk Merbau, Jalan Pejabat, Padang Terap, Kedah Malaysia.
3. Klinik Kesihatan Sungai Tiang, Pendang, Kedah, Malaysia.
4. Klinik Kesihatan Malau, Baling, Kedah, Malaysia.
5. Klinik Kesihatan Tunjang, Jitra, Kedah, Malaysia.
6. Klinik Kesihatan Kepala Batas, Jitra, Kedah, Malaysia.
7. Klinik Kesihatan Ayer Hitam, Ayer Hitam, Kedah, Malaysia.
8. Klinik Kesihatan Changlun, Changlun, Kedah, Malaysia.
9. Klinik Kesihatan Kodiang, Kodiang, Kedah, Malaysia.
10. Jabatan Radiologi, Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah, Jalan Langgar, Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia.
11. Pejabat Kesihatan Daerah Kulim, Jalan Hospital, Kulim, Kedah Malaysia.
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: Tuberculosis; Disease outbreak; Pulmonary tuberculosis; Thoracic radiography
From:Malaysian Family Physician 2024;19(1):1-7
CountryMalaysia
Language:English
Abstract: CHARACTERISTICS OF SMEAR-POSITIVE PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS WITH NORMAL CHEST RADIOGRAPHIC FINDINGS DURING A TUBERCULOSIS OUTBREAK IN NORTHEAST MALAYSIA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY:Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a highly prevalent disease in Malaysia. Early identification using cost-effective methods such as chest radiography can reduce the health burden of a TB epidemic. However, normal chest radiographic findings are common. This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of smear-positive pulmonary TB with normal chest radiographic findings during an outbreak. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted by reviewing the medical records of 56 pulmonary TB cases registered at Kodiang Health Clinic from April to October 2022. Smear-negative and extrapulmonary TB cases were excluded. Relevant information was extracted from the medical records and recorded in a case report form for data management and analysis. Results: Approximately 60.7% of the cases had symptoms lasting >2 weeks, and 89.3% showed abnormal findings upon clinical examination. Additionally, 73.2% had sputum acid-fast bacilli counts of ≥1+, and the sputum Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture and sensitivity test findings were positive in 82.1% of the cases. The proportion of smear-positive pulmonary TB with normal chest radiographic findings was 42.9%. The factors associated with smear-positive pulmonary TB with normal chest radiographic findings included being under 18 years old (P=0.021), being a student (P=0.010), being single (P=0.012) and being asymptomatic (P=0.04). Conclusion: Normal chest radiographic findings may lead to a misdiagnosis of smear-positive pulmonary TB, especially during an outbreak. Therefore, active case detection among close contacts with risk factors for normal radiographic findings should consider additional supportive tests.
Full text:2026101520395627757Characteristics of smear.pdf