What the study found
The study found that more than half of tuberculosis (TB) patients in Shenyang City experienced a delay in consultation, and the delay rate increased over time from 2015 to 2024. Women, adults aged 60 years or older, ethnic minority patients, and patients with positive pathology results had higher odds of delay.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that timely detection and diagnosis of TB are important for preventing disease spread and worsening illness. They suggest that intervention strategies should target risk factors and key populations to reduce patients' suffering and economic losses.
What the researchers tested
The researchers retrospectively analyzed consultation delay among TB patients in Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, using records from the China Tuberculosis Information Management System (TBIMS). They included patients from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2024, and used descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression to examine factors linked to delay.
What worked and what didn't
A total of 38,928 TB patients were included. The median delay in consultation was 18 days, and 22,051 patients (56.65%) had delayed consultation, with an increasing trend across the study period. Female sex, age 60 years or older, ethnic minority status, and positive pathology were associated with greater delay, while intracity mobility and patient origin as a physical examination were associated with lower delay.
What to keep in mind
This was a retrospective analysis of surveillance data from one city, so the findings are specific to Shenyang City and the available records. The abstract does not describe additional limitations.
Key points
- More than half of the 38,928 TB patients had delayed consultation.
- The median consultation delay was 18 days.
- The delay rate increased from 2015 to 2024.
- Higher delay odds were seen in women, older adults, ethnic minority patients, and patients with positive pathology.
- Intracity mobility and detection through physical examination were associated with lower delay.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Delayed tuberculosis visits increased in Shenyang from 2015 to 2024
- Authors:
- Yuchen Gao, Jingxiao Li, Jiying Ma, Zihui Yu, Xiaohui Ren, Siwei Chao, Nan Wang, Jie Liu, Yu Wang
- Institutions:
- Shenyang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenyang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang Medical College
- Publication date:
- 2026-03-05
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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