FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH OUTCOMES OF DRUG-RESISTANT TUBERCULOSIS

Abstract

Objective. To determine factors associated with treatment outcomes among DR-TB (drug-resistant tuberculosis). Methodology. The study included 64 patients who were treated for pulmonary DR-TB in the hospital of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LUHS) Kauno klinikos Pulmonology Department and affiliated hospital Romaniai Hospital of Tuberculosis in 2014. The retrospective analysis of patients’ case-histories was conducted. The most common outcomes and their association with various factors were evaluated. Statistical data analysis was performed using SPSS 20.0; Chi square test was performed. The differences were identified as statistically significant when p<0.05. Results. 54.7% of all treatment outcomes were unsuccessful. Following the data analysis it was observed that factors which can be associated with death are disseminated TB and outspread of TB in all 5 lobes. Alcohol consumption and older age were associated with death and treatment default. Treatment success could be associated with younger age, no consumption of alcohol, infiltrative TB and acid-fast bacilli smear negativity at the start of the treatment. In all cases p<0.05. Conclusions. Alcohol consumption and advanced TB forms are the corrected factors for unsuccessful outcomes. To reach better results, the access to early diagnostics of TB should be improved as well as the control of alcohol consumption.