Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: Clinical Presentation, Outcome, and Tuberculosis Occurrence

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a significant global public health concern, surpassing HIV/AIDS in mortality.Despite advancements, the prevalence and death rates of pulmonary TB have declined, while extra-pulmonary TB has unexpectedly risen.This observational study in Burla, India.Methods: The duration of this study was from April 2021 to September 2022 and included CKD patients from a tertiary care hospital.The observational, cross-sectional design evaluated clinical data, sociodemographic factors, and TB diagnoses in a sample of 220 individuals, considering a population size of 3.5 million in western Odisha. Results:The study revealed a high vulnerability of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patients to TB, with a predominant male incidence in the 30-60 age group.Lower socioeconomic status correlated with higher TB diagnoses.Advanced CKD stages, particularly grade-4 and grade-5, were associated with increased TB susceptibility.Dialysis-requiring CKD patients demonstrated heightened vulnerability.Tubercular pleural effusion was prevalent in extra-pulmonary TB cases.Common symptoms include fever, breathlessness, and cough.Symptomatic patients with TB were prevalent, with fever being the primary symptom. Conclusion:The study concludes that CKD patients face heightened susceptibility to pulmonary and extra-pulmonary TB.Advanced CKD stages, male gender, and lower socioeconomic status were associated with increased TB risk.Tubercular pleural effusion emerged as a common form of extra-pulmonary TB.Routine screening is crucial for early detection and effective management.Future perspectives should focus on refining screening protocols and fostering collaboration between nephrology and infectious disease specialists to enhance TB management in CKD patients.