The peculiarities and risk factors of patients with mental and behavioral disorders associated with tuberculosis

Patients with mental and behavioral disorders have an increased risk of tuberculosis. The aim of the study was to identify the peculiarities and risk factors for tuberculosis in patients with mental and behavioral disorders. Material and methodology: a selective, descriptive, analytical and retrospective study was conducted, which included 71 tuberculosis patients diagnosed with mental and behavioral disorders registered in the period 2015-2019 with tuberculosis. The results: the particularities of the patients were male sex (58 (81.7%) cases), age between 35 and 64 years (48 (67.9%) cases). Risk factors for acquiring tuberculosis were: low socio-economic status (67 (85.9%) cases), poor living conditions - 58 (81.7%) cases, tuberculosis contact – 12 (16.9%) and associated pathologies, including HIV-infection – 11 (15.5%) cases. Although pulmonary localization of tuberculosis predominated - 61 (85.9%) cases, microbiological confirmation was established in 12 (16.9%) cases only. Therapeutic success was established in only 37 (52.1%) cases and death occurred in 20 (28.1%). Conclusion: the standardized management of patients with mental and behavioral disorders is a challenge for the successful completion of anti-tuberculosis treatment in the majority of the cases, and individualization according to patient needs will improve the therapeutic outcome.