Table 2 Univariable analysis of predictors distinguishing between TBM and non-TBM

Age at onset ≤ 60 years, n (%)

56 (80.0)

139 (91.4)

0.015

0.88 (0.77–0.99)

Male sex, n (%)

31 (44.3)

98 (64.5)

0.005

0.69 (0.52–0.92)

Duration of symptoms > 5 days, n (%)

63 (90.0)

50 (32.9)

< 0.001

2.74 (2.15–3.48)

Symptoms

 Headache, n (%)

65 (92.9)

150 (98.7)

0.058

0.94 (0.88–1.01)

 Fever, n (%)

63 (90.0)

139 (91.4)

0.726

0.98 (0.90–1.08)

 Vomiting, n (%)

47 (67.1)

105 (60.1)

0.773

1.06 (0.71–1.60)

 Nuchal rigidity, n (%)

52 (74.3)

93 (61.2)

0.057

1.21 (1.01–1.46)

 Convulsions, n (%)

10 (14.3)

19 (12.5)

0.714

1.14 (0.56–2.33)

 Disturbance of consciousness, n (%)

37 (52.9)

29 (19.1)

< 0.001

2.77 (1.87–4.11)

 Persistent cough > 2 weeks, n (%)

6 (8.6)

1 (0.7)

0.006

13.03 (1.50–106.18)

 Weight loss > 5% of the original weight within 6 months, n (%)

20 (28.6)

4 (2.6)

< 0.001

10.86 (3.86–30.58)

 Cranial nerve palsies, n (%)

1 (1.4)

3 (2.0)

> 0.99

0.72 (0.08–6.84)

 Focal neurologic deficit, n (%)

61 (87.1)

151 (99.3)

< 0.001

0.88 (0.80–0.96)

Concomitant diseases

 Cerebral infarction, n (%)

10 (14.3)

1 (0.7)

< 0.001

21.7 (2.84–166.34)

 Hydrocephalus, n (%)

13 (18.6)

0 (0.0)

< 0.001

-

 Extracranial tuberculosis, n (%)

37 (52.9)

0 (0.0)

< 0.001

-

 Hyponatremia < 135 mmol/L, n (%)

43 (61.4)

28 (18.4)

< 0.001

3.34 (2.28–4.89)

CSF alterations

 Intracranial pressure (> 180 mmH₂O), n (%)

61 (87.1)

111 (73.0)

0.019

1.19 (1.05–1.36)

 CSF cell count (> 500 × 10⁶ /L), n (%)

3 (4.3)

61 (40.1)

< 0.001

0.11 (0.04–0.33)

 CSF lymphocyte percentage (> 50%), n (%)

57 (81.4)

80 (52.6)

< 0.001

1.55 (1.28–1.87)

 CSF protein concentration (> 1 g/L), n (%)

61 (87.1)

92 (60.5)

< 0.001

1.44 (1.23–1.68)

 CSF glucose concentration (< 2.2 mmol/L), n (%)

58 (82.9)

45 (29.6)

< 0.001

2.80 (2.14–3.66)

 CSF chloride concentration (< 120 mmol/L), n (%)

66 (94.3)

85 (55.9)

< 0.001

1.69 (1.45–1.96)