Bone and joint tuberculosis in patients undergoing dialysis: clinical features, risk factors, and outcomes in 17 patients

Objective This study was performed to investigate the clinical features, risk factors, and outcomes of bone and joint tuberculosis in patients undergoing dialysis. Methods We systematically reviewed the medical records of 17 patients with bone and joint tuberculosis undergoing dialysis who were admitted to our hospital from January 2009 to January 2019. Results Seventeen patients with bone and joint tuberculosis undergoing dialysis were identified in this retrospective study, and 13 patients were undergoing hemodialysis. The mean age of the 17 patients was 61.3 years (range, 32–82 years), and 10 (58.9%) patients were male. Most of the patients had a low CD4+ cell count and low hemoglobin and albumin levels. Surgery was performed in 6 patients (35.3%), and 13 of the 17 patients (76.4%) were cured. Three patients had bone or spine sequelae, mainly because of a delayed diagnosis, and one patient died of heart failure. Conclusion These findings indicate that older age, a low CD4+ cell count, and low hemoglobin and albumin levels are possible risk factors for bone and spine tuberculosis in patients undergoing dialysis. If diagnosed early, most patients should have a good outcome after anti-tubercular therapy with or without surgery.