Tuberculous pericarditis epidemiology and demographics


 * Associate Editor-In-Chief: Varun Kumar, M.B.B.S.; Lakshmi Gopalakrishnan, M.B.B.S.

Epidemiology and Demographics
Tuberculous pericarditis is found in approximately 1-2% of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. It is the most common cause of pericarditis in Africa and other developing countries where TB is a major public health problem. The incidence is increasing rapidly in the presence of HIV.

In a study in Western Cape Province of South Africa, tuberculous pericarditis was noted in 69.5% of patients who were referred for diagnostic pericardiocentesis. It should noted that one half of the patients were infected with HIV. In contrast, the incidence of tuberculous pericarditis is 4% in developed countries.