Risk Factors Associated with Hospitalization in Patients With Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is one the leading causes of death worldwide with a high disease burden. While most patients are managed in outpatient settings, those who are hospitalized have poorer outcomes and impose a greater burden on healthcare resources. This study aimed to identify risk factors associated with hospitalization in patients with tuberculosis. A total of 117 patients who were first diagnosed with tuberculosis at Kangwon National University Hospital between January 2024 and August 2025 were included in this study. 34 patients were hospitalized and 83 patients were treated in outpatient department. Hospitalization for any cause within 180 days was defined as the outcome. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression and Cox proportional hazards regression models were performed to identify risk factors for hospitalization. Neutrophils (HR=1.6652; 95% CI=1.0389-2.6691) were associated with hospitalization in the multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model. Neutrophils, alanine-aminotransferase (ALT) and total bilirubin were selected in the LASSO Cox regression. The concordance index (C-index) for the LASSO-selected Cox model was 0.629. Time dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed area under the curve (AUC) of 64.97 (95% CI: 48.66 – 81.28) at 175 days after diagnosis. Neutrophils, ALT and total bilirubin on the day of diagnosis were associated with hospitalization.