Tuberculosis in the elderly. Clinical aspects and outcomes

TB epidemiology in low-incidence countries is characterised by changes in age distribution towards the highest number of cases among the elderly. The immunosenescence and comorbidities appear to play an important role. <b>Aims:</b> To investigate evolution and outcomes of tuberculosis treatment in elderly patients in Spain <b>Methods:</b> multicenter study of new TB cases included in the Integrated Tuberculosis Research Program (PII-TB) registry of the Spanish Society of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery (SEPAR) between 2006 and 2020. Variables collected were sociodemographic data, risk factors, previous treatments, clinical -radiological and microbiologic features, diagnosis delay, drug resistance, treatment outcomes and mortality. Patients &lt;75 years were used as control group <b>Results:</b> We included 731 patients &gt;= 75 years from a total cohort of 7505. Overall treatment success was 79.2% (59% at six months). 48% of elderly patients were treated with 3 drugs. All-cause mortality was 16.1%&nbsp; (5.3% TB deaths). Main results are shown in figure 1 <b>Conclusions:</b> Managing TB in elderly patients is a challenge for the future: - Unespecific radiological features - Extrapulmonary and disseminated presentations are more frequent - Greater toxicity and more treatment changes needed - Higher mortality - More hospital admissions