Abstract:

Objective: To analyze the trend and related factors of patient delay among elderly pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients in Lishui City, and to provide basis for the formulation and adjustment of tuberculosis control measures. Methods: Data of 2436 cases of elderly PTB patients in Lishui City from 2019 to 2023 was extracted from the Tuberculosis Management Information System, a Sub-system of China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention, including medical records, diagnosis and treatment information,etc.,to analyze the distribution and change trend of their patient delay time and delay rate. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to identify influencing factors. Results: From 2019 to 2023, the median (Q₁, Q₃) patient delay time was 30 (12, 77) days. The overall patient delay rate was 70.11% (1708/2436). The delay rates from 2019 to 2023 were 65.02% (290/446), 62.75% (288/459), 67.39% (310/460), 74.00% (353/477) and 78.62% (467/594), respectively, showing an statistically significant upward trend ({\chi }_{\mathrm{t}\mathrm{r}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{n}\mathrm{d}}^2=42.993,P<0.001). Multivariable logistic regression showed that registration year being 2022 (OR=1.538, 95%CI: 1.149-2.059) or 2023 (OR=2.108,95%CI:1.584-2.805), firstly diagnosed in Lishui City (OR=3.931, 95%CI:1.602-9.650), and current address being Songyang County (OR=1.569, 95%CI:1.045-2.357) were risk factors for patient delay. Current address being Yunhe County (OR=0.433,95%CI:0.269-0.700), Jingning County (OR=0.412,95%CI:0.254-0.667), and Longquan City (OR=0.402,95%CI:0.260-0.621) were protective factors for patient delay. Conclusion: The patient delay rate in Lishui City was high, and showed an increasing trend. It is necessary to focus on local patients and patients in Songyang County, and take effective measures to reduce the delay rate of elderly tuberculosis patients.

Key words: Tuberculosis,pulmonary, Factor analysis, Lishui city