Prognostic factors for treatment success in patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in China

A highly effective and inexpensive standardized treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis: a multicenter prospective study in China

BACKGROUND

To verify the efficacy and safety of an inexpensive standardized regimen for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) with low resistance to isoniazid (INH), a multicenter prospective study was conducted in eastern China.

METHODS

Patients diagnosed as MDR-TB with low concentration INH resistance and rifampicin resistance, second-line/injectable agents sensitive were prospectively enrolled, given the regimen of Amikacin (Ak)-Fluoroquinolones (FQs)-Cycloserine (Cs)-Protionamide (Pto)-PasiniaZid (Pa)-Pyrazinamide (Z) for 6 months followed by 12 months of FQs-Cs-Pto-Pa-Z, and then followed up for treatment outcomes and adverse events (AEs).

RESULTS

A total of 114 patients were enrolled into the study. The overall favorable treatment rate was 79.8% (91/114). Among 91 cases with favorable treatment, 75.4% (86/114) were cured and 4.4% (5/114) were completed treatment. Regarding to unfavorable outcomes, among 23 cases, 8.8% (10/114) had failures, 8.8% (10/114) losing follow up, 0.9% (1/114) had treatment terminated due to intolerance to drugs and 1.8% (2/114) died. Treatment favorable rate was significantly higher in newly treated MDR-TB (91.7%, 33/36) than that in retreated MDR-TB (74.4%, 58/78, p 0.03). The investigators recorded 42 AEs occurrences in 30 of 114 patients (26.3%). Clinicians rated most AEs as mild or moderate (95.24%, 40/42).

CONCLUSIONS

The regimen was proved to be effective, safe and inexpensive. It is suitable for specific drug resistant population, especially for newly-treated patients, which could be expected to be developed into a short-course regimen. Clinical trials registration China Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR-OPC-16009380.

Treatment outcomes of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in Hangzhou, China, 2011 to 2015

Treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is challenging. More research is needed to understand treatment outcomes and associated factors.A retrospective cohort study was conducted to assess trends and predictors of treatment success among 398 MDR-TB and extensively drug resistant TB patients who started treatment in 2011 to 2015 in Hangzhou, China. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristic data were obtained from the national reporting database. Chi-square test for trend was used to evaluate changes in treatment success rates over the study years, and Cox regression analysis was used to identify predictors for poor treatment outcomes.The treatment success rate was 76% (301/398) for all participants, 77% (298/387) for MDR-TB cases and 27% (3/11) for extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis -TB cases. Treatment success increased significantly from 66% among patients who started treatment in 2011 to 85% in 2015 (P < .01). Of the 97 (24.4%) patients with unsuccessful treatment outcomes, 10 (2.5%) died, 64 (16.1%) failed treatment, and 23 (5.8%) were lost to follow-up. Patients who started treatment in 2013 to 2015 were less likely to have unsuccessful outcomes than those who started in 2011-2012 (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 0.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.3-0.6), patients ≥25 years were more likely to have unsuccessful outcomes than younger patients (AOR 1.6, 95% CI 1.3-2.1), and cases with kanamycin resistance was associated with three times the odds of having unsuccessful outcomes than kanamycin-susceptible cases (AOR 3.0, 95% CI 1.5-5.8).With proper case management of MDR-TB, patients can achieve a high treatment success rate. Hangzhou's program offers clinical evidence that can be used to inform MDR-TB programs elsewhere in China and abroad.

Risk factors for poor treatment outcomes of 2266 multidrug-resistant tuberculosis cases in Ho Chi Minh City: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) remains a serious public health problem with poor treatment outcomes. Predictors of poor outcomes vary in different regions. Vietnam is among the top 30 high burden of MDR-TB countries. We describe demographic characteristics and identify risk factors for poor outcome among patients with MDR-TB in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), the most populous city in Vietnam.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 2266 patients who initiated MDR-TB treatment between 2011 and 2015 in HCMC. Treatment outcomes were available for 2240 patients. Data was collected from standardized paper-based treatment cards and electronic records. A Kruskal Wallis test was used to assess changes in median age and body mass index (BMI) over time, and a Wilcoxon test was used to compare the median BMI of patients with and without diabetes mellitus. Chi squared test was used to compare categorical variables. Multivariate logistic regression with multiple imputation for missing data was used to identify risk factors for poor outcomes. Statistical analysis was performed using R program.

RESULTS

Among 2266 eligible cases, 60.2% had failed on a category I or II treatment regimen, 57.7% were underweight, 30.2% had diabetes mellitus and 9.6% were HIV positive. The notification rate increased 24.7% from 2011 to 2015. The treatment success rate was 73.3%. Risk factors for poor treatment outcome included HIV co-infection (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 2.94), advanced age (aOR: 1.45 for every increase of 5 years for patients 60 years or older), having history of MDR-TB treatment (aOR: 5.53), sputum smear grade scanty or 1+ (aOR: 1.47), smear grade 2+ or 3+ (aOR: 2.06), low BMI (aOR: 0.83 for every increase of 1 kg/m2 of BMI for patients with BMI < 21).

CONCLUSION

The number of patients diagnosed with MDR-TB in HCMC increased by almost a quarter between 2011 and 2015. Patients with HIV, high smear grade, malnutrition or a history of previous MDR-TB treatment are at greatest risk of poor treatment outcome.