A decade of skeletal tuberculosis

Abstract

Thirty-eight of 58 patients with skeletal tuberculosis (TB) reviewed were immigrants and 20 were of British indigenous origin. Spinal involvement i 28 cases was less common than involvement of peripheral joints, bones, or tendon sheaths (30 cases). Predisposing factors, including previous TB, were present in 70% of British patients and 31% of immigrants. Follow-up study of 23 cases showed that a complete clinical recovery of the skeletal disease was more likely in immigrants than indigenous cases and also in cases referred to hospital early. Immigrants presented usually within 5 years after arrival in Britain and at a younger age than indigenous cases; a quarter had within 5 sites of infection outside the skeletal system. Skeletal tuberculosis in the indigenous population remains very uncommon, and in half of these cases a history of previous TB was given. The need for continued awareness of skeletal TB is stressed, especially in immigrants, and also the importance of early diagnosis and institution of appropriate therapy.