Epidemiological profile of extrapulmonary tuberculosis in the Centre-Est region of Burkina Faso, 2021–2023

Introduction: Extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) accounts for a variable proportion of tuberculosis cases in Africa and remains difficult to diagnose due to its often atypical clinical presentation. In Burkina Faso, epidemiological information on EPTB is limited, particularly in the Centre‑Est region, which faces a fragile security context disrupting access to care. We described the epidemiological profile of EPTB cases reported between 2021 and 2023. Methods: We conducted a descriptive cross‑sectional study covering the period from January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2023. All bacteriologically confirmed or clinically/radiologically diagnosed cases of EPTB were included. Sociodemographic, clinical, diagnostic, and treatment outcome data were collected using a KoboToolbox electronic form and analyzed with STATA 15.1. Results: Among 1,581 tuberculosis cases notified during the study period, 191(12%) were extrapulmonary forms. The median age was 35 years (IQR: 19–54), and males accounted for 68.6% (131/191) of cases, with a male-to-female sex ratio of 2.18. The most affected occupational groups were unemployed individuals, 36.7% (70/191) and farmers, 27.2% (52/191). The most frequent anatomical sites were osteoarticular 53.9% (103/191), pleural 26.7% (51/191), and abdominal 7.3% (14/191). Bacteriological confirmation was achieved in 5.8% (11/191) of cases. Treatment outcomes showed 82.2% (157/191) success, 6.8% (13/191) default, and 11.0% (21/191) mortality. Conclusion: EPTB remains likely underdiagnosed in the Centre‑Est region of Burkina Faso. The predominance of osteoarticular forms, together with a default rate above the national target and a high mortality rate in a context of insecurity, highlights the need to strengthen diagnostic capacities and adapt community follow-up strategies to improve patient management.