Abstract:

Objective To investigate the risk factors for tuberculous abscess in patients with tuberculous cervical lymphadenitis. Methods We collected the clinical data of 280 patients who were admitted to and diagnosed with tuberculous cervical lymphadenitis in Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital affiliated to Tongji University from July 2013 to June 2016 and met the inclusion criteria of this study. Then we prospectively analyzed the risk factors of tuberculous abscess in cervical lymph node. Results Of the 280 patients with tuberculous cervical lymphadenitis, 52 cases (18.6%) formed tuberculous abscess that could spontaneously rupture or needed drainage of lymph nodes. Among the patients with abscess, 38.5% (20/52) received irregular treatment, 76.9% (40/52) had lymph nodes ≥2 cm, and 90.4% (47/52) were aged ≤45 years old; among the patients without abscess, 24.6% (56/228) cases received irregular treatment, 55.3% (126/228) had lymph nodes ≥2 cm, and 77.6% (177/228) were aged ≤45 years old. The differences between the two groups were statistically significant (χ² values were 4.14, 8.23, and 4.30, respectively, P values were <0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that irregular treatment (OR=2.53,95%CI: 1.31-4.89), lymph nodes ≥2 cm (OR=2.29, 95%CI: 1.12-4.66) and age ≤45 years old (OR=3.68, 95%CI: 1.21-11.17) were independent risk factors for tuberculous abscess. Conclusion The irregular treatment, lymph nodes ≥2 cm and age ≤45 years old are independent risk factors for tuberculous abscess in patients with tuberculous cervical lymphadenitis. Be alert to the possibility of tuberculous abscess when these risk factors are present in patients with tuberculous cervical lymphadenitis.

Key words: Tuberculosis, lymph node, Abscess, Risk factors, Data interpretation, statistical