Predictors of therapy failure in newly diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis cases in Beira, Mozambique

Survival Probability in Multidrug Resistant Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients in a South Indian Region

Background: Drug-resistant tuberculosis is a burgeoning threat to public health requiring novel strategies to combat the infection. Although national tuberculosis elimination programs focus on improving health services, challenges in eradicating tuberculosis still exist. Factors attributing to unfavorable outcomes are unknown in Warangal district of Telangana state. Methods: This study included 296 patients diagnosed with multidrug-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis. The study participants followed up for a maximum of 20 months to determine treatment outcomes. Statistical applications of Kaplan-Meier curve and log-rank test used to find the survival probabilities in subgroups. Results: The survival of multidrug-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis patients was ascertained, in male and female patients, aged between 31 and 50 years. Resistance to rifampicin was prominent. The study found a survival rate of 76.68% and a mortality rate of 23.31%. The log-rank test revealed a significant difference in survival in subcategories with and without comorbidities (P = .03), non-adherence to treatment (P = .0001), treatment duration (P = .02), regimens (P = .01), and grading of radiograph (P = .0001). Conclusion: This study identified factors that influenced the survival probability of multidrug-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis patients, including comorbidities, weight band, non-adherence to treatment, treatment duration, regimens, and grading of radiograph. These findings emphasize the need for enhanced management strategies to improve treatment outcomes.

Successful Management, in a Low-Resource Setting, of Disseminated Tuberculosis in a 3-Year Old Boy: A Case Report

Disseminated or military tuberculosis (TB) is defined as the presence of at least two non-contiguous sites of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, occurring as a result of progressive primary infection, reactivation and spread of a latent focus or due to iatrogenic origin. Disseminated TB represents a life-threatening condition, especially in at-risk children and when diagnosis and treatment are delayed. We report on a case of a 3-year old boy who presented with long-lasting unrecognised disseminated TB that was successfully managed in a low-resource setting.

High risk of unsuccessful treatment outcome in migrant population with tuberculosis: Data from three Italian hospitals

Introduction

Tuberculosis (TB) remains an unresolved global health problem and vulnerable groups such as migrants remain the most affected with a higher risk of worse outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical features, outcomes, and adverse events in migrant and native Italian patients admitted to three Italian hospitals in Southern Italy in order to assess differences and targeted strategies.

Methods

We performed a retrospective study on TB patients admitted between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2021, in three Apulia hospitals. Two logistic regression models were used, with the dependent variables being (I) unsuccessful treatment (died, loss to follow-up, and failed treatment) and (II) adverse events.

Results

We enrolled 543 consecutive patients admitted at three Italian hospitals with a diagnosis of TB during the study period, of them 323 (59.5%) were migrants and 220 Italian patients. The treatment success rate in the migrant group was 44.9% (137/305), while in the non-migrant group was 97.1% (203/209). Independent factors of unsuccess treatment (death, failure or loss to follow up) were: migrant status (O.R. = 11.31; 95% CI 9.72-14.23), being male (O.R. = 4.63; 95% CI 2.16-6.10), homelessness (O.R. = 3.23; 95% CI 2.58-4.54), having a MDR (Multidrug-resistant) (O.R = 6.44; 95% CI 4.74-8.23), diagnostic delay (O.R. = 3.55; 95% CI 1.98-5.67), and length of hospitalization (O.R. = 3.43; 95% CI 1.88-5.87). While, age >65 ys (O.R. = 3.11; 95% CI 1.42-4.76), presence of extrapulmonary TB (O.R. = 1.51; 95% CI 1.31-2.18), monoresistance (O.R. = 1.45; 95% CI 1.25-3.14) and MDR pattern (O.R. = 2.44; 95% CI 1.74-5.03) resulted associated with adverse events.

Conclusion

Migrant population is at high risk of unsuccessful treatment (death, loss to follow-up, and treatment failure). Policies targeted specifically to this group are needed to really impact and improve their health status and also to contain the TB burden.

Differences in CT imaging signs between patients with tuberculosis and those with tuberculosis and concurrent lung cancer

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to compare the differences in imaging features between patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) alone and patients with TB complicated with lung cancer (LCA) as well as to investigate the diagnostic value of CT in these two groups.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, 110 patients with confirmed TB admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University from March 2020 to April 2021 were collected and divided into TB+LCA group (50 cases, diagnosed with TB complicated with lung cancer) and TB group (60 cases, diagnosed with TB alone) according to actual diagnosis. The CT results of both groups were analyzed by the same group of physicians in a double-blind manner. The diagnostic value of CT for TB alone and TB complicated with lung cancer was calculated. The differences in CT imaging characteristics between the two groups were investigated. The differences in the structural characteristics of para-cancerous tissue between the two groups were analyzed.

RESULTS

The diagnostic accuracy of CT was 91.67% in TB patients (55/60) and 92.00% in TB+LCA patients (46/50) without significant difference (X² =0.004, P=0.949). The detection rate of spiculation, lobulation and cavitation in TB+LCA group was significantly higher than that in TB group (P<0.05), and the distribution, size and wall thickness of cavitation varied significantly between the two groups (P<0.05). Patients in TB group had higher percentage of mediastinal lymph node calcification, peripheral satellite lesion, and mediastinal lymph node enlargement around the TB lesions compared with those in TB+LCA group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

CT has certain application value in differentiating TB alone from TB complicated with lung cancer, and there are many similarities in the imaging features of the two conditions. CT can be considered as a preliminary means of differential diagnosis of TB complicated with lung cancer, which is helpful to the primary screening diagnosis of lung cancer.

Determinants of Weight Gain among Adult Tuberculosis Patients during Intensive Phase in Debre Markos Town Public Health Facilities, Northwest Ethiopia, 2020: Unmatched Case-Control Study

Background

Ethiopia is one of the highest tuberculosis burden countries globally, and tuberculosis is one of the most pressing health problems nationally. Weight gain during treatment is the main indicator of good treatment outcome, but there is no adequate information regarding the factors that affect weight gain in Ethiopia.

Objective

The objective of this study was to identify determinants of weight gain among adult tuberculosis patients during the intensive phase, in Debre Markos town public health institutions Northwest Ethiopia, 2020.

Methods

Unmatched case-control study was conducted in Debre Markos town public health facilities with a total sample size of 236. Cases (clients who got weight) and controls (clients who did not get weight) were enrolled in the study consecutively, and data were collected using standardized questionnaires. Data were entered through Epi-Data version 4.2 and exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. Bivariable analysis was done, and all independent variables that had p < 0.25 were entered into multivariable binary logistic regression analysis. Finally, independent variables which were significantly associated with weight gain at p < 0.05 were considered determinant factors of weight gain.

Result

Pulmonary tuberculosis (AOR: 5 (95% CI: 2.3, 11.2)), monitoring by health professionals (AOR: 3.7 (1.6, 8.4)), ≥18.5 baseline body mass index (AOR: 3.4 (95% CI: 1.6, 7.3)), parasitic disease (AOR: 3.2 (95% CI: 1.3, 7.99)), <30 days duration of illness before start of treatment (AOR: 2.8 (95% CI: 1.2, 6.1)), and human immune virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AOR: 3.3 (95% CI: 1.2, 9.1)) were independently associated with weight gain compared to their counterpart.

Conclusion

Type of tuberculosis, monitoring by health professionals, baseline status, parasitic disease, duration of illness before start of treatment, and human immune virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome were with the determinants of weight gain. Therefore, early detection, support and supervision, and attention for comorbidity are mandatory during antituberculosis treatment.

Tuberculosis Treatment Outcome and Predictors in Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

This review aimed to summarize and estimate the TB treatment success rate and factors associated with unsuccessful TB treatment outcomes in Africa. Potentially eligible primary studies were retrieved from PubMed and Google Scholar. The risk of bias and quality of studies was assessed using The Joanna Briggs Institute's (JBI) appraisal criteria, while heterogeneity across studies was assessed using Cochran's Q test and I2 statistic. Publication bias was checked using the funnel plot and egger's test. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO, numbered CRD42019136986. A total of 26 eligible studies were considered. The overall pooled estimate of TB treatment success rate was found to be 79.0% (95% CI: 76-82%), ranging from 53% (95% CI: 47-58%) in Nigeria to 92% (95% CI: 90-93%) in Ethiopia. The majority of unsuccessful outcomes were attributed to 48% (95% CI: 40-57%) death and 47% (95% CI: 39-55%) of defaulter rate. HIV co-infection and retreatment were significantly associated with an increased risk of unsuccessful treatment outcomes compared to HIV negative and newly diagnosed TB patients with RR of 1.53 (95% CI: 1.36-1.71) and 1.48 (95% CI: 1.14-1.94), respectively. TB treatment success rate was 79% below the WHO defined threshold of 85% with significant variation across countries. Countries need to explore contextual underlining factors and more effort is required in providing TB preventive treatment, improve case screening and linkage for TB treatment among HIV high-risk groups and use confirmatory TB diagnostic modality. Countries in Africa need to strengthen counseling and follow-up, socio-economic support for patients at high risk of loss to follow-up and poor treatment success is also crucial for successful TB control programs.

A Cross-sectional Study on the Magnitude of undernutrition in Tuberculosis Patients in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia

PURPOSE

To estimate the magnitude of undernutrition in tuberculosis (TB) patients and evaluate its association with selected sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of the patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A health facility-based cross-sectional design was used. Four hundred and fifty pulmonary TB (PTB) patients were recruited between September 2017 and August 2018. Data were collected by structured questionnaire and anthropometric measurements. Data were analyzed using SPSS 20. Descriptive statistics was used for the analysis and expression of the data. Regression model was used to determine the association between undernutrition and selected factors.

RESULTS

The magnitude of underweight was 51.6%, (95%CI: 47.15-56.2). Binary logistic regression indicated that previous treatment with anti-TB (crude odds ratio, COR=1.68, 95%CI: 1.08-2.63; p<0.023), duration of illness greater than two months (COR=2.11, 95%CI: 1.26-3.55, p<0.005), positive HIV serum status (COR=3.83, 95%CI: 1.63-9.02, p<0.002) and history of resistance to any anti TB drug (COR=2.76, 95%CI: 1.29-5.91, p<0.009) were associated with underweight. Multiple logistic regression analysis of the association of the aforementioned variables with undernutrition indicated that HIV positivity (adjusted odds ratio, AOR=0.26, 95%CI: 0.104-0.65, p<0.004) and resistance to any anti-TB drug (AOR=0.39, 95%CI: 0.173-0.90, p<0.026) were the associated factors.

CONCLUSION

A significant proportion of TB patients in the Oromia Region were malnourished. Therefore, nutritional counseling and nutritional supplementation are required for the effective treatment of TB patients in the Region.

Pathways to care and preferences for improving tuberculosis services among tuberculosis patients in Zambia: A discrete choice experiment

BACKGROUND

Delays in the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) contribute to a substantial proportion of TB-related mortality, especially among people living with HIV (PLHIV). We sought to characterize the diagnostic journey for HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients with a new TB diagnosis in Zambia, to understand drivers of delay, and characterize their preferences for service characteristics to inform improvements in TB services.

METHODS

We assessed consecutive adults with newly microbiologically-confirmed TB at two public health treatment facilities in Lusaka, Zambia. We administered a survey to document critical intervals in the TB care pathway (time to initial care-seeking, diagnosis and treatment initiation), identify bottlenecks and their reasons. We quantified patient preferences for a range of characteristics of health services using a discrete choice experiment (DCE) that assessed 7 attributes (distance, wait times, hours of operation, confidentiality, sex of provider, testing incentive, TB test speed and notification method).

RESULTS

Among 401 patients enrolled (median age of 34 years, 68.7% male, 46.6% HIV-positive), 60.9% and 39.1% were from a first-level and tertiary hospital, respectively. The median time from symptom onset to receipt of TB treatment was 5.0 weeks (IQR: 3.6-8.0) and was longer among HIV-positive patients seeking care at a tertiary hospital than HIV-negative patients (6.4 vs. 4.9 weeks, p = 0.002). The time from symptom onset to initial presentation for evaluation accounted for the majority of time until treatment initiation (median 3.0 weeks, IQR: 1.0-5.0)-an important minority of 11.0% of patients delayed care-seeking ≥8 weeks. The DCE found that patients strongly preferred same-day TB test results (relative importance, 37.2%), facilities close to home (18.0%), and facilities with short wait times (16.9%). Patients were willing to travel to a facility up to 7.6 kilometers further away in order to access same-day TB test results. Preferences for improving current TB services did not differ according to HIV status.

CONCLUSIONS

Prolonged intervals from TB symptom onset to treatment initiation were common, especially among PLHIV, and were driven by delayed health-seeking. Addressing known barriers to timely diagnosis and incorporating patients' preferences into TB services, including same-day TB test results, may facilitate earlier TB care engagement in high burden settings.

Smoking and COVID-19 Infection and Related Mortality: A Prospective Cohort Analysis of UK Biobank Data

Background

Several papers have shown contradictory evidence about the relationship between smoking and COVID-19-related deaths. There is little evidence about smoking and risk of infection. We aim to examine association between smoking and COVID-19 infection and subsequent mortality.

Methods

This was a prospective study with participants from the UK Biobank cohort. Participants who lived in England were followed up from 01/02/2020 to 28/06/2020 with data linked to hospital episode statistics, Office for National Statistics and Public Health England PCR tests. We compared current-smokers, previous-smokers with never-smokers and estimated risk ratio (RR) of COVID-19 infection and subsequent mortality using Poisson regression adjusting for age, sex, ethnicity, body mass index and socio-economic status. Interactions between smoking status and age and sex were tested for using multiplicative interactions, and analyses were stratified by median age (49–68 years, 69–86 years) and sex.

Results

In total, 402,978 participants were included in the analyses. The majority were never smokers, 226,294 (56.2%), 140,090 (34.8%) were previous smokers, and 39,974 (9.9%) current smokers. COVID-19 infection was identified in 1591 (0.39%) people, and 372/1591 (23.4%) died. Amongst the younger participants, smokers were nearly twice as likely to become infected with COVID-19 than never smokers (RR 1.88 [1.49–2.38]) whereas there was no difference for those aged 69+ (RR 1.05 [0.82–1.34]). In contrast, amongst the older participants, smokers were twice as likely to die from COVID-19 compared to non-smokers (RR 2.15 [1.11–4.16]) whereas there was no difference for those under the age of 69 (RR 1.22[0.83–1.79]). Similar patterns were observed for previous smokers. The impact of smoking was similar in men and women.

Conclusion

The association between smoking and COVID-19 infection and subsequent death is modified by age. Smokers and previous smokers aged under 69 were at higher risk of COVID-19 infection, suggesting the risk is associated with increased exposure to SARS-COV-2 virus. Once infected, older smokers were twice as likely to die from COVID-19 than never smokers, possibly mediated by increased risk of chronic conditions/illnesses.

Mean platelet volume (MPV): new diagnostic indices for co-morbidity of tuberculosis and diabetes mellitus

Background

Tuberculosis (TB) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) are global health diseases with high morbidity and mortality. Few studies have focused on platelet indices in TB-DM coinfection patients. The objective of this work was to analyze the platelet indices in TB, DM and TB-DM patients to assess the predictive value of the platelet index for the risk of these diseases.

Methods

In total, 246 patients admitted to our hospital were distributed into three groups (113TB, 59 DM and 74TB+DM). A total of 133 individuals were also recruited as healthy controls (HC). Platelet indices, namely, platelet count (PC), mean platelet volume (MPV), plateletcrit (PCT) and platelet distribution width (PDW), were compared among the four groups, and the relationship with inflammatory markers was explored by using statistical software.

Results

Our study discovered that MPV and PCT were significantly downregulated in TB+DM patients (9.951.25fL, 0.200.05%, P<0.0001, P=0.0121, separately) compared with DM individuals (10.921.17fL, 0.220.04%). Moreover, the changes in MPV were significantly higher in TB+DM patients (9.951.25fL, P=0.0041) than in TB patients (9.421.01fL). No differences were found in PLT and PDW among the four groups (P>0.05). The sensitivity and specificity of MPV in the differential diagnosis of DM patients vs TB+DM patients were 64.9 and 66.1% (P<0.0001), respectively, and the sensitivity and specificity of MPV between TB patients and TB+DM patients was 60.8 and 66.4%, respectively (P=0.003). MPV improved the diagnosis sensitivity when it was combined with clinical parameters, such as fasting blood glucose in DM and Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture result in TB (76.3% vs 64.9, 72.6% vs 60.8%, P<0.0001, P=0.001, respectively). In addition, the sensitivity and specificity of PCT in the differential diagnosis of DM patients vs TB+DM patients were 69.5 and 59.4%, respectively (P=0.008). PCT improved the diagnosis sensitivity when combined with fasting blood glucose in DM (72.9% vs 64.9%, P=0.004). In addition, MPV was linked to CRP (C-reactive protein) and ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) in the TB+DM patients (r=0.3203, P=0.0054, r=0.2504, P=0.0307) but PCT was not (r=0.1905, r=0.008675, P>0.05, respectively).

Conclusions

Our research shows that MPV and PCT might be good clinical laboratory markers to distinguish TB+DM patients from TB or DM individuals, thus providing support for earlier clinical diagnosis, prevention, and therapy.

SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Healthcare Professionals and General Population During "First Wave" of COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study Conducted in Sicily, Italy

On December 31, 2019, an outbreak of lower respiratory infections was documented in Wuhan caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Since the beginning, SARS-CoV-2 has caused many infections among healthcare workers (HCWs) worldwide. Aims of this study were: a. to compare the distribution among the HCWs and the general population of SARS-CoV-2 infections in Western Sicily and Italy; b. to describe the characteristics of HCWs infected with SARS-CoV-2 in the western Sicilian healthcare context during the first wave of the epidemic diffusion in Italy. Incidence and mean age of HCWs infected with SARS-CoV-2 were comparable in Western Sicily and in the whole Italian country. The 97.6% of infections occurred in HCWs operating in non-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) working environments, while an equal distribution of cases between hospital and primary care services context was documented. Nurses and healthcare assistants, followed by physicians, were the categories more frequently infected by SARS-CoV-2. The present study suggests that healthcare workers are easily infected compared to the general population but that often infection could equally occur in hospital and non-hospital settings. Safety of HCWs in counteracting the COVID-19 pandemic must be strengthened in hospital [adequate provision of personal protective equipment (PPE), optimization of human resources, implementation of closed and independent groups of HCWs, creation of traffic control building and dedicated areas in every healthcare context] and non-hospital settings (influenza vaccination, adequate psychophysical support, including refreshments during working shifts, adequate rest, and family support).

Diabetes in a TB and HIV-endemic South African population: Analysis of a virtual cohort using routine health data

BACKGROUND

It is widely accepted that people living with diabetes (PLWD) are at increased risk of infectious disease, yet there is a paucity of epidemiology studies on the relationship between diabetes and infectious disease in SSA. In a region with a high burden of infectious disease, this has serious consequences for PLWD.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

Using routinely collected longitudinal health data, we describe the epidemiology of diabetes in a large virtual cohort of PLWD who have a high burden of HIV and TB, from the Khayelitsha subdistrict in the Western Cape Province in South Africa. We described the relationship between previous TB, newly diagnosed TB disease and HIV infection on diabetes using HbA1c results as an outcome measure. The study population was predominately female (67%), 13% had a history of active TB disease and 18% were HIV positive. The HIV positive group had diabetes ascertained at a significantly younger age (46 years c.f. 53 years respectively, p<0.001) and in general had increased HbA1c values over time after their HIV diagnosis, when compared to the HIV-negative group. There was no evidence of TB disease influencing the trajectory of glycaemic control in the long term, but diabetes patients who developed active TB had higher mortality than those without TB (12.4% vs 6.7% p-value < 0.001). HIV and diabetes are both chronic diseases whose long-term management includes drug therapy, however, only 52.8% of the study population with an HIV-diabetes comorbidity had a record of diabetes treatment. In addition, the data suggest overall poor glycaemic control in the study population with only 24.5% of the participants having an HbA1c <7% at baseline despite 85% of the study population being on diabetes treatment.

CONCLUSION

The epidemiologic findings in this exploratory study highlight the need for further research into diabetes outcomes in a high TB and HIV burden setting and demonstrate that routine health data are a valuable resource for understanding disease epidemiology in the general population.

Patients' perceptions regarding multidrug-resistant tuberculosis and barriers to seeking care in a priority city in Brazil during COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study

This study aimed to analyze the discourses of patients who were diagnosed with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, the perception of why they acquired this health condition and barriers to seeking care in a priority city in Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was an exploratory qualitative study, which used the theoretical-methodological framework of the Discourse Analysis of French matrix, guided by the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research. The study was conducted in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. Seven participants were interviewed who were undergoing treatment at the time of the interview. The analysis of the participants' discourses allowed the emergence of four discursive blocks: (1) impact of the social determinants in the development of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, (2) barriers to seeking care and difficulties accessing health services, (3) perceptions of the side effects and their impact on multidrug-resistant tuberculosis treatment, and (4) tuberculosis and COVID-19: a necessary dialogue. Through discursive formations, these revealed the determinants of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. Considering the complexity involved in the dynamics of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, advancing in terms of equity in health, that is, in reducing unjust differences, is a challenge for public policies, especially at the current moment in Brazil, which is of accentuated economic, political and social crisis. The importance of psychosocial stressors and the lack of social support should also be highlighted as intermediary determinants of health. The study has also shown the situation of COVID-19, which consists of an important barrier for patients seeking care. Many patients reported fear, insecurity and worry with regard to returning to medical appointments, which might contribute to the worsening of tuberculosis in the scenario under study.

Population aging and trends of pulmonary tuberculosis incidence in the elderly

BACKGROUND

To explore population aging and the epidemic trend of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in the elderly, and provide a basis for the prevention and control of pulmonary tuberculosis among the elderly.

METHODS

We collected clinical information of 239,707 newly active PTB patients in Shandong Province from 2005 to 2017. We analyzed and compared the clinical characteristics, reported incidence and temporal trend of PTB among the elderly group (≥60 years) and the non-elderly group (< 60 years) through logistic model and Join-point regression model.

RESULTS

Among the total PTB cases, 77,192(32.2%) were elderly. Compared with non-elderly patients, newly active elderly PTB patients account for a greater proportion of male cases (OR 1.688, 95% CI 1.656-1.722), rural population cases (OR 3.411, 95% CI 3.320-3.505) and bacteriologically confirmed PTB cases (OR 1.213, 95%CI 1.193-1.234). The annual reported incidence of total, elderly, pulmonary bacteriologically confirmed cases were 35.21, 68.84, 35.63 (per 100,000), respectively. The annual reported incidence of PTB in the whole population, the elderly group and the non-elderly group has shown a slow downward trend since 2008. The joinpoint regression model showed that the overall reported incidence of PTB in the elderly significantly decreased from 2007 to 2017 (APC = -5.3, P < 0.05). The reported incidence of bacteriologically confirmed PTB among elderly patients declined rapidly from 2005 to 2014(2005-2010 APC = -7.2%, P < 0.05; 2010-2014 APC = -22.6%, P < 0.05; 2014-2017 APC = -9.0%, P = 0.1). The reported incidence of clinically diagnosed PTB among elderly patients from 2005 to 2017 (11.48-38.42/100,000) increased by about 235%. It rose significantly from 2007 to 2014 (APC = 9.4, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with the non-elderly population, the reported incidence of PTB in the elderly population is higher. The main burden of PTB will shift to the elderly, men, rural population, and clinically diagnosed patients. With the intensification of aging, more researches on elderly PTB prevention and treatment will facilitate the realization of the global tuberculosis (TB) control targets.

Factors affecting outcome of longer regimen multidrug-resistant tuberculosis treatment in West Java Indonesia: A retrospective cohort study

Background

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis had high treatment failure and mortality. Success rate of treatment currently 56% at global level, 48% in Indonesia and 36% in West Java province, the most populated province and surround Jakarta, the capitol of Indonesia.

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate factors affecting success of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis treatment in patients using longer treatment regimen in West Java Indonesia.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis patients treated with longer regimen at Hasan Sadikin General Hospital from January 2015 to December 2017. Potential risk factors associated with the treatment outcome were analyzed using multiple logistic regression.

Results

A total of 492 patients were enrolled during the study period. Fifty percents multidrug-resistant tuberculosis patients had successful treatment outcome. Age ≤45 years, male, normal body mass index, no previous tuberculosis treatment, culture conversion ≤2 months, acid fast bacilli sputum smear ≤+1 were independent factors associated with increased treatment success. Sputum culture conversion ≤2 months was the major factor affecting successful outcome (RR 2.79; 95% CI: 1.61–4.84; p-value<0.001). Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection, chronic kidney disease, and cavitary lesion were independent risk factors for unfavourable outcome.

Conclusion

Age, gender, body mass index, tuberculosis treatment history, time of sputum conversion, acid fast bacilli sputum smear, HIV infection, chronic kidney disease, and cavitary lesion can be used as predictors for longer multidrug-resistant tuberculosis treatment regimen outcome.

Socio-economic condition and lack of virological suppression among adults and adolescents receiving antiretroviral therapy in Ethiopia

Introduction

The potential impact of socio-economic condition on virological suppression during antiretroviral treatment (ART) in sub-Saharan Africa is largely unknown. In this case-control study, we compared socio-economic factors among Ethiopian ART recipients with lack of virological suppression to those with undetectable viral load (VL).

Methods

Cases (VL>1000 copies/ml) and controls (VL<150 copies/ml) aged ≥15years, with ART for >6 months and with available VL results within the last 3 months, were identified from registries at public ART clinics in Central Ethiopia. Questionnaire-based interviews on socio-economic characteristics, health condition and transmission risk behavior were conducted. Univariate variables associated with VL>1000 copies/ml (p<0.25) were added to a multivariable logistic regression model.

Results

Among 307 participants (155 cases, 152 controls), 61.2% were female, and the median age was 38 years (IQR 32–46). Median HIV-RNA load among cases was 6,904 copies/ml (IQR 2,843–26,789). Compared to controls, cases were younger (median 36 vs. 39 years; p = 0.004), more likely to be male (46.5% vs. 30.9%; p = 0.005) and had lower pre-ART CD4 cell counts (170 vs. 220 cells/μl; p = 0.009). In multivariable analysis of urban residents (94.8%), VL>1000 copies/ml was associated with lower relative wealth (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.98; 95% CI 1.49–5.94; p = 0.016), geographic work mobility (aOR 6.27, 95% CI 1.82–21.6; p = 0.016), younger age (aOR 0.94 [year], 95% CI 0.91–0.98; p = 0.011), longer duration of ART (aOR 1.19 [year], 95% CI 1.07–1.33; p = 0.020), and suboptimal (aOR 3.83, 95% CI 1.33–10.2; p = 0.048) or poor self-perceived wellbeing (aOR 9.75, 95% CI 2.85–33.4; p = 0.012), after correction for multiple comparisons. High-risk sexual behavior and substance use was not associated with lack of virological suppression.

Conclusion

Geographic work mobility and lower relative wealth were associated with lack of virological suppression among Ethiopian ART recipients in this predominantly urban population. These characteristics indicate increased risk of treatment failure and the need for targeted interventions for persons with these risk factors.

Burden of stigma among tuberculosis patients in a pastoralist community in Kenya: A mixed methods study

BACKGROUND

Tuberculosis (TB) stigma remains a barrier to early diagnosis and treatment completion. Increased understanding of stigma is necessary for improved interventions to minimise TB stigma and its effects. The purpose of this study is to quantitatively measure TB stigma and to explore qualitatively its manifestation among TB patients in a rural Kenyan community.

METHODS

This hospital based study using explanatory sequential mixed methods approach was conducted in 2016. In the quantitative part of the study, a questionnaire containing socio-demographic characteristics and scales measuring perceived TB stigma and experienced TB stigma, was administered to 208 adult pulmonary TB patients receiving treatment in West Pokot County. Respondents with high stigma were purposively selected to take part in in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. The qualitative data were collected through 15 in-depth interviews and 6 focus group discussions with TB patients. Descriptive and bivariate analysis was done for the quantitative data while the thematic analysis was done for qualitative data.

RESULTS

The internal consistency reliability coefficients were satisfactory with Cronbach alphas of 0.87 and 0.86 for the 11-item and 12-item stigma measurement scale. The investigation revealed that TB stigma was high. The key drivers of TB stigma were the association of TB with HIV/AIDS and the fear of TB transmission. TB stigma was exemplified through patients being isolated by others, self-isolation, fear to disclose TB diagnosis, association of TB with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and lack of social support. Being a woman was significantly associated with high levels of both experienced stigma (p = 0.007) and perceived stigma (p = 0.005) while age, marital status, occupation and the patient's religion were not.

CONCLUSION

There is a need to implement stigma reduction interventions in order to improve TB program outcomes.

Capacity assessment for provision of quality sexual reproductive health and HIV-integrated services in Karamoja, Uganda

INTRODUCTION

Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are crucial global health issues. Uganda continues to sustain a huge burden of HIV and AIDS.

METHODS

A cross-sectional health facility-based assessment was performed in November and December 2016 in Karamoja Region, northern Uganda. All the 126 health facilities (HFs) in Karamoja, including 5 hospitals and 121 Health Centers (HCs), covering 51 sub-counties of the 7 districts were assessed. We assessed the capacity of a) leadership and governance, b) human resource, c) service delivery, d) SRH and HIV service integration and e) users satisfaction and perceptions.

RESULTS

64% of the established health staffing positions were filled leaving an absolute gap of 704 units in terms of human resources. As for service delivery capacity, on 5 domains assessed, the best performing was basic hygiene and safety measures in which 33% HCs scored "excellent", followed by the presence of basic equipment. The level of integration of SRH/HIV services was 55.56%.

CONCLUSION

HFs in Karamoja have capacity gaps in a number of health system building blocks. Many of these gaps can be addressed through improved planning. To invest in improvements for these services would have a great gain for Uganda.

Active Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Elderly Patients: A 2016-2019 Retrospective Analysis from an Italian Referral Hospital

Tuberculosis (TB) in the elderly (>65 years old) has increasingly become a global health problem. It has long been recognized that older people are vulnerable to developing tuberculosis. We retrospectively evaluated data from patients older than 65 years diagnosed with pulmonary TB admitted to the National Institute for Infectious Diseases L. Spallanzani, Rome, Italy, from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2019. One hundred and six consecutive patients were diagnosed with pulmonary TB and 68% reported at least one comorbidity and 44% at least one of the TB risk-factors. Out of the 26 elderly patients who reported an adverse event, having risk factors for TB (O.R. (Odds Ratios) = 1.45; 95% CI 1.12-3.65) and the presence of cavities on Chest X-rays (O.R. = 1.42; 95% CI 1.08-2.73) resulted in being more likely to be associated with adverse events in elderly patients. Having weight loss (O.R. = 1.31; 95% CI 1.08-1.55) and dyspnea (O.R. = 1.23; 95% CI 1.13-1.41) resulted in being significant predictors of unsuccessful treatment outcome in elderly patients. Older people with TB represent a vulnerable group, with high mortality rate, with a challenging diagnosis. Hospitalizations in tertiary referral hospital with clinical expertise in TB management can be useful to improve the outcome of these fragile patients.

Diagnosis and treatment outcomes of adult tuberculosis in an urban setting with high HIV prevalence in Sierra Leone: A retrospective study

OBJECTIVE

To assess the diagnosis, treatment outcomes, and predictors of mortality in adult tuberculosis (TB) patients in an urban setting with a high HIV prevalence.

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted of adult TB patients aged ≥15 years who were treated at Connaught Hospital in Freetown, Sierra Leone from January through December 2017. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify predictors of mortality.

RESULTS

Of 1127 TB cases notified in 2017, 1105 (98%) were tested for HIV, yielding a TB/HIV co-infection rate of 32.0%. Only HIV-tested cases (n=1105) were included in the final analysis. The majority were male (69.3%), aged 25-34 years (29.2%), and had pulmonary TB (96.3%). Treatment outcomes were as follows: 29.0% cured, 29.0% completed, 0.5% treatment failure, 24.2% lost to follow-up, 12.8% transferred/not evaluated, and 4.5% died. The majority of deaths (80.0%, 40/50) occurred within 2 months of TB treatment initiation. Age 65 years or older (adjusted odds ratio 3.48, 95% confidence interval 1.15-10.56; p=0.027) and HIV-positive status (adjusted odds ratio 3.50, 95% confidence interval 1.72-7.12; p=0.001) were independent predictors of mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Suboptimal TB treatment outcomes were observed in Sierra Leone in 2017. More local and international action is warranted to help achieve the 2035 global TB elimination targets.

Determinants of unsuccessful treatment outcomes and mortality among tuberculosis patients in Malaysia: A registry-based cohort study

Introduction

The monitoring of tuberculosis (TB) treatment outcomes and examination of the factors affecting these outcomes are important for evaluation and feedback of the national TB control program. This study aims to assess the TB treatment outcomes among patients registered in the national TB surveillance database in Malaysia from 2014 until 2017 and identify factors associated with unsuccessful treatment outcomes and all-cause mortality.

Materials and methods

Using registry-based secondary data, a retrospective cohort study was conducted. TB patients’ sociodemographic characteristics, clinical disease data and treatment outcomes at one-year surveillance were extracted from the database and analyzed. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine factors associated with unsuccessful treatment outcomes and all-cause mortality.

Results

A total of 97,505 TB cases (64.3% males) were included in this study. TB treatment success (cases categorized as cured and completed treatment) was observed in 80.7% of the patients. Among the 19.3% patients with unsuccessful treatment outcomes, 10.2% died, 5.3% were lost to follow-up, 3.6% had outcomes not evaluated while the remaining failed treatment. Unsuccessful TB treatment outcomes were found to be associated with older age, males, foreign nationality, urban dwellers, lower education levels, passive detection of TB cases, absence of bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) scar, underlying diabetes mellitus, smoking, extrapulmonary TB, history of previous TB treatment, advanced chest radiography findings and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Factors found associated with all-cause mortality were similar except for nationality (higher among Malaysians) and place of residence (higher among rural dwellers), while smoking and history of previous TB treatment were not found to be associated with all-cause mortality.

Conclusions

This study identified various sociodemographic characteristics and TB disease-related variables which were associated with unsuccessful TB treatment outcomes and mortality; these can be used to guide measures for risk assessment and stratification of TB patients in future.

Effect of Xpert MTB/RIF testing introduction and favorable outcome predictors for tuberculosis treatment among HIV infected adults in rural southern Mozambique. A retrospective cohort study

Background

Global roll out of Xpert MTB/RIF technology has resulted in dramatic changes in TB diagnosis. However, benefits in resource-limited, high-burden TB/HIV settings, remain to be verified. In this paper we describe the characteristics of a large cohort of TB patients in a rural hospital in Southern Mozambique before and after Xpert MTB/RIF introduction, together with some determinants of favorable treatment outcome.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of TB infected patients ≥15 years of age, diagnosed and treated at Carmelo Hospital of Chókwè between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2017. Patient demographic and clinical characteristics, and treatment outcomes were recorded and compared before and after Xpert MTB/RIF, which was introduced in the second semester of 2012.

Results

9,655 patients were analyzed, with 44.1% females. HIV testing was conducted in 99.9% of patients, with 82.8% having TB/HIV co-infection. 73.2% of patients had a favorable treatment outcome. No increase was observed in the number of TB patients identified after introduction of Xpert MTB/RIF testing.

Conclusion

Upon introduction, Xpert testing seemed to have a punctual beneficial effect on TB treatment outcomes, however this effect apparently disappeared shortly afterwards. Challenges remain for integration of TB and HIV care, as worse outcomes are reported for those patients diagnosed with TB shortly after starting ART, and also for those never starting ART. The need of reasonably excluding TB disease before ART start should be highlighted to every health care provider engaged in HIV care.

Focused ultrasound to diagnose HIV-associated tuberculosis (FASH) in the extremely resource-limited setting of South Sudan: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

Our cross-sectional study aimed at evaluating the diagnostic performance of Focused Assessment with Sonography for HIV-associated tuberculosis (FASH) to detect extrapulmonary tuberculosis in extremely resource-limited settings, with visceral leishmaniasis as a differential diagnosis with overlapping sonographic feature.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Voluntary Counselling and Testing Centre (VCT) of Yirol Hospital, South Sudan.

PARTICIPANTS

From May to November 2017, 252 HIV-positive patients out of 624 newly admitted to VCT Centre were registered for antiretroviral treatment. According to the number of trained doctors available to practise ultrasound (US) scan, a sample of 100 patients were screened using the FASH protocol.

INTERVENTIONS

Following a full clinical examination, each patient was scanned with a portable US scanner in six different positions for pleural, pericardial, ascitic effusion, abdominal lymphadenopathy and hepatic/splenic microabscesses, according to the FASH protocol. A k39 antigen test for visceral leishmaniasis was also performed on patients with lymphadenopathy and/or splenomegaly. All demographic, clinical and HIV data, as well as FASH results and therapy adjustments, were recorded following the examination.

RESULTS

The FASH protocol allowed the detection of pathological US findings suggestive of tuberculosis in 27 out of the 100 patients tested. Overall, FASH results supported tuberculosis treatment indication for 16 of 21 patients, with the treatment being based exclusively on FASH findings in half of them (8 patients). The group of FASH-positive patients had a significantly higher proportion of patients with CD4 count below 0.2 x10⁹/L (n=22, 81%) as compared with FASH-negative patients (n=35, 48%) (p=0.003). Moreover, 48% (n=13) of FASH-positive patients had CD4 below 100 cells/mm³. All patients tested had a negative result on k39 antigen test.

CONCLUSION

FASH was found to be a relevant diagnostic tool to detect signs of tuberculosis. Further research is needed to better define a patient profile suitable for investigation and also considering diagnostic accuracy.

Prevalence and Predictors of Malaria in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infected Patients in Beira, Mozambique

Co-infection between malaria and HIV has major public health implications. The aims of this study were to assess the malaria prevalence and to identify predictors of positivity to malaria Test in HIV positive patients admitted to the health center São Lucas of Beira, Mozambique. A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed from January 2016 to December 2016. Overall, 701 adult HIV patients were enrolled, positivity to malaria test was found in 232 (33.0%). These patients were found to be more frequently unemployed (76.3%), aged under 40 (72.0%), with a HIV positive partner (22.4%) and with a CD4 cell count <200 (59.9%). The following variables were predictors of malaria: age under 40 (O.R. = 1.56; 95%CI: 1.22–2.08), being unemployed (O.R. = 1.74; 95%CI: 1.24–2.21), irregularity of cotrimoxazole prophylaxis’s (O.R. = 1.42; 95%CI: 1.10–1.78), CD4 cell count <200 (O.R. = 2.01; 95%CI: 1.42–2.32) and tuberculosis comorbidity (O.R. = 1.58; 95%CI: 1.17–2.79). In conclusion, high malaria prevalence was found in HIV patients accessing the out-patients centre of São Lucas of Beira. Our findings allowed us to identify the profile of HIV patients needing more medical attention: young adults, unemployed, with a low CD4 cell count and irregularly accessing to ART and cotrimoxazole prophylaxis.

Prevalence of diabetes mellitus amongst hospitalized tuberculosis patients at an Indian tertiary care center: A descriptive analysis

Background

India has a high prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) as well as diabetes mellitus (DM). DM is a chronic disease caused by deficiency of insulin production by the pancreas. The risk of TB amongst DM patients is three times higher than those without. The estimated national prevalence of DM is 7.3%. Despite the growing burden of DM, there are limited studies describing the prevalence of TB-DM in India.

Objective

Our study estimated the prevalence of DM amongst adult hospitalized TB patients at Kasturba Hospital, Manipal and determined factors associated with the likelihood of DM-TB co-prevalence.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study at Kasturba Hospital, Manipal Academy of Higher Education. All hospitalized adult patients diagnosed with pulmonary TB (PTB) and extrapulmonary TB (EPTB) between June 1^st 2015 and June 30^th 2016 were eligible for inclusion. Pediatric and pregnant TB patients were excluded from our study. Data were extracted from medical charts. Descriptive and multivariate analyses were performed in R. Multivariate analysis adjusted for age, gender, type of TB, history of TB, and nutrition (body mass index (BMI)) status.

Results

A total of 728 patients met the eligibility criteria, 517 (71%) were male, 210 (29%) female, 406 (56%) had PTB and 322 (44%) had EPTB. Amongst those with a nutritional status, 36 (30%) patients were underweight (BMI <18.4 kg/m²), 73 (40%) had a normal BMI (18.5kg/m²–24.9 kg/m²), 15 (8%) were overweight (BMI 25.0 kg/m²–29.9 kg/m²) and 9 (5%) were obese (BMI >30.0 kg/m²). A total of 720 (98.9%) of TB patients had at least one blood sugar test result. The overall prevalence of DM (n = 184) amongst TB patients was 25.3% (95% CI 22.2%, 28.6%). When stratified, it was 35.0% (30.4%, 39.9%) and 13.0% (9.7%, 17.3%) amongst PTB and EPTB patients respectively. TB patients aged 41–60 years had 3.51 times higher odds (aOR 3.51 (2.08, 6.07)) of having DM than patients 40 years or younger. Patients aged 60 years or older had 2.49 times higher odds (aOR 2.49 (1.28, 4.85)) of having DM than younger patients (<40 years). Females had lower odds (aOR 0.80 (0.46, 1.37)) of developing DM than male TB patients and patients with a history of TB had lower odds (aOR 0.73 (0.39, 1.32)) than newly diagnosed TB patients. Additionally, EPTB patients had significantly lower odds (aOR 0.26 (0.15, 0.43)) compared to PTB patients. Underweight patients also had significantly lower odds (aOR 0.25 (0.14, 0.42)) of having DM than normal weight patients.

Conclusion

Our study found a higher prevalence of TB-DM than the national average. TB-DM co-prevalence was significantly associated with age, type of TB and undernutrition. As India’s DM prevalence is expected to rise, TB-DM will become an increasingly important part of the TB epidemic requiring specialized study and care.

The At Risk Child Clinic (ARCC): 3 Years of Health Activities in Support of the Most Vulnerable Children in Beira, Mozambique

The concept of &ldquo;children at risk&rdquo; changes worldwide according to each specific context. Africa has a large burden of overall risk factors related to childhood health and development, most of which are of an infective or social origin. The aim of this study was to report and analyze the volumes of activities of fifteen At Risk Child Clinics (ARCCs) within the Beira District (Mozambique) over a 3 year-period in order to define the health profile of children accessing such health services. We retrospectively analyzed the data from all of the children accessing one of the 15 Beira ARCCs from January 2015 to December 2017. From this, 17,657 first consultations were registered. The motivations for accessing the services were in order of relevance: HIV exposure (n. 12,300; 69.7%), other risk conditions (n. 2542; 14.4%), Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) (n. 1664; 9.4%), Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) (n. 772; 4.4%), and TB exposure (n. 542; 3.1%). During the first consultations, 16,865 children were screened for HIV (95.5%), and 7.89% tested HIV-positive. In our three years of experience, HIV exposure was the main indication for children to access the ARCCs in Mozambique. ARCCs could represent a strategic point to better understand health demands and to monitor the quality of care provided to this vulnerable population group, however significant effort is needed to improve the quality of the data collection.

Patient predictors of poor drug sensitive tuberculosis treatment outcomes in Kyiv Oblast, Ukraine

Background: Ukraine has high rates of poor treatment outcomes among drug sensitive tuberculosis (DSTB) patients, while global treatment success rates for DSTB remain high.     We evaluated baseline patient factors as predictors of poor DSTB treatment outcomes. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of new drug sensitive pulmonary TB patients treated in Kyiv Oblast, Ukraine between November 2012 and October 2014. We defined good treatment outcomes as cure or completion and poor outcomes as death, default or treatment failure. We performed logistic regression analyses, using routine program data, to identify baseline patient factors associated with poor outcomes. Results: Among 302 patients, 193 (63.9%) experienced good treatment outcomes while 39 (12.9%) failed treatment, 34 (11.3%) died, and 30 (9.9%) defaulted. In the multivariate analysis, HIV positive patients on anti-retroviral therapy (ART) [OR 3.50; 95% CI 1.46 - 8.42; p 0.005] or without ART (OR 4.12; 95% CI 1.36 - 12.43; p 0.01) were at increased risk of poor outcomes. Alcohol abuse (OR 1.81; 95% CI 0.93 - 3.55; p 0.08) and smear positivity (OR 1.75; 95% CI 1.03 - 2.97; p 0.04) were also associated with poor treatment outcomes. Conclusions: High rates of poor outcomes among patients with newly diagnosed drug sensitive TB in Kyiv Oblast, Ukraine highlight the urgent need for programmatic interventions, especially aimed at patients with the highest risk of poor outcomes.

Patient predictors of poor drug sensitive tuberculosis treatment outcomes in Kyiv Oblast, Ukraine

Background: Ukraine has high rates of poor treatment outcomes among drug sensitive tuberculosis (DSTB) patients, while global treatment success rates for DSTB remain high.     We evaluated baseline patient factors as predictors of poor DSTB treatment outcomes. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of new drug sensitive pulmonary TB patients treated in Kyiv Oblast, Ukraine between November 2012 and October 2014. We defined good treatment outcomes as cure or completion and poor outcomes as death, default or treatment failure. We performed logistic regression analyses, using routine program data, to identify baseline patient factors associated with poor outcomes. Results: Among 302 patients, 193 (63.9%) experienced good treatment outcomes while 39 (12.9%) failed treatment, 34 (11.3%) died, and 30 (9.9%) defaulted. In the multivariate analysis, HIV positive patients on anti-retroviral therapy (ART) [OR 3.50; 95% CI 1.46 - 8.42; p 0.005] or without ART (OR 4.12; 95% CI 1.36 - 12.43; p 0.01) were at increased risk of poor outcomes. Alcohol abuse (OR 1.81; 95% CI 0.93 - 3.55; p 0.08) and smear positivity (OR 1.75; 95% CI 1.03 - 2.97; p 0.04) were also associated with poor treatment outcomes. Conclusions: High rates of poor outcomes among patients with newly diagnosed drug sensitive TB in Kyiv Oblast, Ukraine highlight the urgent need for programmatic interventions, especially aimed at patients with the highest risk of poor outcomes.