| Abstract: | Altogether 100 adolescents with TB detected on referral to general medical institutions were followed up. 30 patients with a clear-cut TB clinicoroentgenological pictures were referred to special hospitals. The rest 70 adolescents were followed up in general outpatients departments. The chief method of prehospital diagnosis verification was inefficacy of previous antiinflammatory therapy. 51 patients were not examined for tuberculosis (tuberculin test, chest x-ray, sputum investigation for tubercle bacilli, phthisiologist's consultation, etc.). Clinical evaluation showed that 47% had had previous contacts with tuberculosis patients, 33% demonstrated hyperergic sensitivity to tuberculin, in 21% the disease coincided with intensification of tuberculin reactions, 55% isolated tubercle bacilli. Initiated antituberculosis therapy alleviated the disease course in most of the patients. However, late diagnosis resulted in the formation of noticeable residual changes in a considerable proportion of patients. The results obtained indicate the necessity of close contacts between antituberculosis service and general health service to improve the effectiveness of adolescents therapy. |
