Delays in presentation and diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis: a retrospective study of a tertiary health service in Western Melbourne, 2011–2014

Abstract

Background: Effective tuberculosis (TB) control relies on early diagnosis and prompt treatment commencement. Aim: To investigate delays in presentation and diagnosis of pulmonary TB (PTB) in a low incidence setting in Western Melbourne. Methods: A single-centred retrospective observational cohort study of symptomatic patients ≥ 18 years newly diagnosed with PTB that were commenced on treatment between 1 December 2011 and 1 December 2014 at a tertiary teaching hospital in Western Melbourne. Main outcome measures included median duration of patient, health system and total delays to diagnosis of PTB and clinical factors associated with prolonged patient (>35 days) and health system (>21 days) ..