An observational study on the utilization of cartridge based nucleic acid amplification test (CBNAAT) in diagnostic evaluation of chronic ulcer with respect to histopathological examination.

INTRODUCTION

An ulcer is defined as a discontinuity of either skin or mucous membrane due to loss of blood supply. Chronic non healing ulcers may required 6 weeks or more to heal after coventional therapies.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the diagnostic evaluation of chronic ulcer by CBNAAT and histopathology examination.

METHODS

Prospective Observational study conducted on 100 cases of chronic non-healing ulcer by consecutive sampling attended to outdoor and indoor patient department of surgery for one year period (July 2021-august 2022) at JLN Hospital, Ajmer.

RESULTS

Mean age was 44.73 ± 16.34 years with age range of 12-80 years. Male: Female ratio was found to be 1.5:1. Out of 100 cases, tuberculosis was diagnosed in 14% cases by CBNAAT and in 13% cases by histopathological examination. Out of 14 CBNAAT positive cases, 28.57% cases were found to be rifampicin resistant. For CBNAAT, sensitivity is 64.28% and specificity is 95.34%. So Positive predictive value is 69.23% and negative predictive value is 94.25%.

CONCLUSION

In chronic wounds, CBNAAT had high specificity and low sensitivity, making it a diagnostic tool.