A hospital based study of clinico-socioeconomic profile of musculoskeletal tuberculosis

Musculoskeletal Skeletal tuberculosis accounts for 30% of the tuberculosis occurring at extra pulmonary sites. The majority of the inflicted are in the economically productive age group and from low social strata. Aims of this study are to study the proportion of musculoskeletal tuberculosis and its determinants in KMC and associated hospitals in Mangalore and to study influence of socio-economic status on its prevalence. This is a cross sectional analysis of patients admitted or attending OPD who were diagnosed with musculoskeletal tuberculosis to KMC and associated hospitals. Socio-economic status were assessed according to modified Kuppuswamy method of social classification-2012. Spine was the commonest site of musculoskeletal tuberculosis in this study. Highest incidence was found in socio-economic class 5 (50%). This study highlights correlation between lower socio-economic strata and higher incidence of tuberculosis and discusses the reasons for it.