To study the profile of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR) TB patients on shorter regimen at a tertiary care Centre of North India

Abstract

Background: The effectiveness of shorter regimen for the treatment of MDR-TB patients was found in the study done by Damien Foundation in Bangladesh, therefore we planned to study the profile MDR-TB patients who were taking shorter regimen so that various factors can be explored related to this regimen in Indian scenario.
Materials and Methods: This was a prospective longitudinal study done in respiratory medicine department between January 2020 to December 2021. There were 177 patients of MDR/ RR pulmonary TB were identified and as per inclusion criteria and based on exclusion criteria 84 patients were excluded therefore our study population comprised of 93 remaining patients those who filled the study protocol, their treatment (Injectable shorter regimen ) and follow up investigations done as per programmatic management of drug resistant TB guideline of National TB elimination programme.
Results and Observation: There were 55(59%) males and 38(41%) were females and mean age of patient was 31±15.11 years (range 4-82 years). Out of 93 patients 27(29%) were smokers and 25(27%) were alcoholics and the most common symptom was fever 92(98.9%). The most common comorbidity was diabetes mellitus 11(11.9%). The most common minor side effect seen was GI intolerance in 41(44.1%) patients.
Conclusion: Out of 93 patients 76.3% (71) were cured and 23.7% (22) patients were failed to cure. The association between smoking and treatment outcome was statistically significant (p value=0.013). The association between treatment outcome and previous history of adequate treatment was found to be significant (p=0.016).