Clinical presentation and epidemiology of female genital tuberculosis in eastern Sudan

Abstract

Objective: To describe the epidemiology and clinical presentation of female genital tuberculosis (FGTB) among women in eastern Sudan.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted at Kassala Maternity Hospital, Sudan, from January 1 to December 31, 2010.

Results: Of the 2778 women presenting with various gynecologic symptoms, 44 suspected cases of FGTB were identified. Granulomatous tissue reactions were observed in 25 of the suspected FGTB cases, yielding an incidence of 0.9%. The majority (20/25; 80%) of these patients presented with chronic pelvic and lower abdominal pain; however, 68.0% (17/25) presented with pelvic mass, cyst and/or abscess; 48.0% (12/25) had dyspareunia; 40.0% (10/25) were infertile; 28% (7/25) had menstrual dysfunction; 20.0% (5/25) had dysmenorrhea; and 4.0% (1/25) experienced postmenopausal bleeding. Body mass index, residence, and educational level were significantly different between women diagnosed with FGTB and those where FGTB was excluded (P values=0.02, 0.03, and 0.01, respectively). However, no significant differences were found in age and Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccination status.

Conclusion: Clinical suspicion may facilitate and improve the detection of FGTB, with chronic pelvic pain identified as the predominant clinical presentation among women in eastern Sudan.