Objective: Genitourinary Tuberculosis (GU-TB) is one of the most common types of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the changes in renal function of patients diagnosed with GU-TB in our clinic after a 12-month follow-up.
Materials and Methods: Patients between the age 18 and 70 years and treated between 2015 and 2021 were included to this study. Patients with previously known GU-TB history, those with other etiological factors affecting renal function, those with ureter-kidney involvement, and those with incomplete follow-up and treatment were excluded. Along with demographic and clinical data of patients, urinary diversion needs, types of diversions performed, most common symptoms, and renal functions at diagnosis, 3rd month, and 12th month were compared.
Results: A total of 34 patients were included in the study. The most common symptom among patients was urgency (70%). Urinary diversion was necessary in 22 patients (64.7%). When evaluating kidney functions, it was found that the glomerular filtration rate, which was 53.9 ± 24.8 at diagnosis, increased to 63.5 ± 19.1 levels after treatment (p<0.001).
Conclusion: In patients with GU-TB involving the kidneys and ureters, appropriate diversion methods and treatment may lead to some improvement in renal function. However, it should be noted that patients with GU-TB constitute an extremely heterogeneous group, and symptoms and clinical findings may vary depending on the selected patient group.