One of the complications that often occurs in patients with pulmonary TB is pleural effusion

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 136 views

Characteristics of Patients with Lung TB with Pleura Effusion of Inpatient at Santa Elisabeth General Hospital Medan in 2011-2016

Introduction

Tuberculosis (TB) Lung: A Serious Disease Worldwide

Tuberculosis (TB) Lung is one of the most serious diseases in the world, ranking as the main cause of death after HIV. This disease is caused by a bacterial infection of mycobacterium tuberculosis, which can be transmitted through the air. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that TB is a major public health problem, affecting millions of people worldwide. In Indonesia, TB is also a significant health concern, with a high prevalence rate. One of the complications that often occurs in patients with pulmonary TB is pleural effusion, where there is a buildup of fluids in the pleural chamber. This study aims to provide an overview of the characteristics of pulmonary TB sufferers with pleural effusion who were hospitalized at the Santa Elisabeth General Hospital in Medan during the period 2011 to 2016.

Methodology

This study uses a descriptive design with a series case approach, where the population studied includes all patients with pulmonary TB with pleural effusion that is hospitalized, totaling 71 cases. The data used in this study is secondary data analyzed using the Statistics method of Chi-Square and Fisher’s Exact. The data was collected from the medical records of patients who were hospitalized at the Santa Elisabeth General Hospital in Medan during the period 2011 to 2016.

Results

The results showed that most pulmonary TB sufferers with pleural effusion were men aged over 50 years (61%), and the majority work as entrepreneurs (39%). Interestingly, 61% of patients come from outside the Medan region. The most common symptoms found are shortness of breath (74.6%) and the majority have unilateral pleural effusion (86%). As many as 54.9% of patients do not have other accompanying diseases, and the average length of treatment in hospitals is 7 days. Most patients returned home in uncovery (50.7%).

Analysis

Further analysis shows the absence of a significant difference between age and gender (p = 0.561), age and location of fluid (p = 0.514), sex and location of fluid (p = 0.296), as well as a composing disease with the location of the fluid (p = 0.330). This finding illustrates that the patient's demographic and clinical characteristics do not show significant differences in relationships with each other.

Discussion

The results of this study provide valuable information about the characteristics of patients with pulmonary TB with pleural effusion who were hospitalized at the Santa Elisabeth General Hospital in Medan during the period 2011 to 2016. The study found that most patients were men aged over 50 years, and the majority work as entrepreneurs. The most common symptoms found are shortness of breath, and the majority have unilateral pleural effusion. The study also found that most patients do not have other accompanying diseases, and the average length of treatment in hospitals is 7 days.

Conclusion

It is essential for people with pulmonary TB to take drugs regularly and be disciplined in following treatment. This is not only aimed at speeding up the healing process, but also to prevent more serious complications. In this context, the Santa Elisabeth Medan General Hospital is expected to improve the recording system for medical records, to ensure that all patient information is well recorded and provide better services in the future.

Recommendations

Through this research, it is expected to provide a deeper insight about the characteristics of patients with pulmonary TB with pleural effusion, as well as encouraging better prevention and treatment efforts in the community. The study suggests that healthcare providers should pay attention to the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with pulmonary TB with pleural effusion, and provide appropriate treatment and care. Additionally, the study recommends that healthcare providers should improve the recording system for medical records, to ensure that all patient information is well recorded and provide better services in the future.

Limitations

This study has several limitations. The study used secondary data, which may not be comprehensive or accurate. Additionally, the study only included patients who were hospitalized at the Santa Elisabeth General Hospital in Medan during the period 2011 to 2016, which may not be representative of the general population.

Future Research

Future research should focus on the prevention and treatment of pulmonary TB with pleural effusion. The study suggests that healthcare providers should pay attention to the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with pulmonary TB with pleural effusion, and provide appropriate treatment and care. Additionally, the study recommends that healthcare providers should improve the recording system for medical records, to ensure that all patient information is well recorded and provide better services in the future.

References

World Health Organization. (2019). Tuberculosis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Tuberculosis (TB).
Santa Elisabeth General Hospital. (2011-2016). Medical Records of Patients with Pulmonary TB with Pleural Effusion.

Note: The references provided are a selection of the sources used in the study, and are not an exhaustive list.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Characteristics of Patients with Lung TB with Pleura Effusion of Inpatient at Santa Elisabeth General Hospital Medan in 2011-2016

Q: What is Tuberculosis (TB) Lung?

A: Tuberculosis (TB) Lung is a serious disease caused by a bacterial infection of mycobacterium tuberculosis, which can be transmitted through the air. It is one of the main causes of death worldwide, after HIV.

Q: What is Pleural Effusion?

A: Pleural effusion is a complication that often occurs in patients with pulmonary TB, where there is a buildup of fluids in the pleural chamber.

Q: What are the characteristics of patients with pulmonary TB with pleural effusion?

A: The study found that most patients were men aged over 50 years, and the majority work as entrepreneurs. The most common symptoms found are shortness of breath, and the majority have unilateral pleural effusion.

Q: What is the average length of treatment in hospitals for patients with pulmonary TB with pleural effusion?

A: The average length of treatment in hospitals is 7 days.

Q: What is the significance of this study?

A: This study provides valuable information about the characteristics of patients with pulmonary TB with pleural effusion, which can help healthcare providers to provide better treatment and care.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: The study used secondary data, which may not be comprehensive or accurate. Additionally, the study only included patients who were hospitalized at the Santa Elisabeth General Hospital in Medan during the period 2011 to 2016, which may not be representative of the general population.

Q: What are the recommendations of this study?

A: The study recommends that healthcare providers should pay attention to the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with pulmonary TB with pleural effusion, and provide appropriate treatment and care. Additionally, the study recommends that healthcare providers should improve the recording system for medical records, to ensure that all patient information is well recorded and provide better services in the future.

Q: What are the implications of this study for public health?

A: This study highlights the importance of early detection and treatment of pulmonary TB with pleural effusion, and the need for healthcare providers to provide better treatment and care to patients with this condition.

Q: What are the future research directions based on this study?

A: Future research should focus on the prevention and treatment of pulmonary TB with pleural effusion, and the development of more effective treatment and care strategies for patients with this condition.

Q: How can healthcare providers improve the care of patients with pulmonary TB with pleural effusion?

A: Healthcare providers can improve the care of patients with pulmonary TB with pleural effusion by paying attention to the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients, providing appropriate treatment and care, and improving the recording system for medical records.

Q: What are the key takeaways from this study?

A: The key takeaways from this study are the importance of early detection and treatment of pulmonary TB with pleural effusion, the need for healthcare providers to provide better treatment and care to patients with this condition, and the importance of improving the recording system for medical records.

Q: What are the potential applications of this study?

A: The potential applications of this study include the development of more effective treatment and care strategies for patients with pulmonary TB with pleural effusion, and the improvement of public health policies and programs related to TB prevention and control.