BACKGROUND: The long diagnostic delay is responsible for the extension of radiological lesions and spread of TB in the community. These radiological lesions can leave significant scars responsible for respiratory disability.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to characterize radiologic features according to tuberculosis diagnostic delay.
METHODS: We conducted a prospective cross-sectional study, about 66 patients with positive sputum.
RESULTS: The average diagnostic delay was 16 (±15) weeks; whether 22 (±14.1) weeks in the female gender versus 14.6 (±14.3) weeks in the male gender (P=0.10). The first care use was respectively health centers (62.1%), drugstores (51.9%), and traditional medicine (28.7%). Only 27.2% of patients used the marabouts care. Bilateral radiographic abnormalities in bivariate analysis were associated with consultation at the health center (66.7% versus 33.3%; P<0.031), as is the extension of the lesions (70.2% versus 29.8% RP=1.66 [1.05 to 2.91]; P<0.03). Lake of knowledge of the symptoms of TB was associated with the use of marabouts care (12.5% versus 87.5; PR=0.35 [0.11 to 1.08], P<0.04).
CONCLUSIONS: These results should prompt consideration in an emergency, appropriate control interventions, advocacy, patient information and medical personnel on the reality of tuberculosis to prevent its spread often causing respiratory disability with radological effects.