Outcome Analysis of Shorter Regimen of Rifampicin Resistant Tuberculosis

Abstract

Introduction: Globally, about half a million new cases of rifampicin-resistant TB (RR-TB) were found in 2019. Out of them, 78% had confirmed multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). In the year 2020, a total of 18,05,670 TB cases were notified. Out of these, 49,679 were diagnosed as MDR/RR TB patients. Management of drug-resistant TB requires a longer duration of treatment with second-line anti-TB drugs that cause more side effects. WHO introduces the shorter regimen for RR-TB with a total duration of 9-11 months consisting of 4 to 6 months of intensive phase and 5 months of continuation phase.
Aim and material & method: This is an observational study conducted on 129 patients of rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis admitted at the PMDT site at the Department of Respiratory Medicine from July 2018 to October 2020 to assess treatment outcomes of shorter regimens in RR-TB. Approval from the ethical committee was obtained.
Result and conclusion: A favorable outcome was observed in 52.7% of patients; however, 51.12% of patients experienced at least one side effect. Treatment outcome was not affected in patients with HIV and a past history of anti-TB drugs. Diabetic patients were more likely to have treatment failure than non-diabetic patients. (p-value <0.005).