Chest CT findings in drug-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis: a comparative analysis of elderly and non-elderly patients

Background Drug-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis (DR-TB) remains a critical public health challenge, particularly affecting vulnerable populations such as the elderly, who exhibit higher morbidity and mortality rates. This study aims to elucidate the chest CT characteristics of DR-TB in elderly patients to improve diagnostic accuracy and guide individualized treatment strategies. Methods A retrospective analysis of 183 confirmed DR-TB cases (Huai'an Infectious Disease Hospital, June 2013-June 2023) compared chest CT findings (lesion distribution, extent, and morphology) between elderly patients (≥ 60 years) and non-elderly patients (14-59 years). Results Key findings reveal that elderly patients demonstrate a higher frequency of extensive lung involvement, with 76% exhibiting lesions in all lung lobes compared to 40.74% in the non-elderly group (P Conclusion The identification of risk factors on chest CT, including the presence of pulmonary and bronchial lesions, highlights the necessity for tailored screening and management strategies for elderly DR-TB patients.