Treatment outcomes of pulmonary multidrug-resistant tuberculosis; 10 year follow up study

ABSTRACT Aim: Treatment rates of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) vary from clinic to clinic. In this study, the characteristics of MDR-TB patients followed in two clinics of our hospital and their relationship with treatment results were investigated. Material and Method: This observational retrospective cohort study performed in a government hospital which is one of the important reference center for management of tuberculosis in Turkey. Seventy-nine adult MDR-TB cases who'm diagnosed and treated between 2004-2014 were retrospectively enrolled into the study. Results: Of the patients with MDR-TB, 58 were male, 21 were female, mean age was 36.24 ± 13.75 and all of them were HIV (-). 64 patients completed treatment, 15 patients still under treatment. The average hospitalization time was 162.76. Radiologically, 11 patients had diffuse disease and 68 patients had limited disease. The mean number of patients who received second-line drugs were 5.18 ± 0.5 and drug-related side effects developed in 36 patients. Cure was achieved in 84.4% of the patients, 7.8% discontinued the treatment, 7.8% died during the treatment and there wasn’t any treatment failure. Conclusion: In our study, we think that the factors that increase the success of MDR-TB treatment are: young age, low resistance to second line medication, prolongation of hospitalization, good compliance with treatment, low rate of ofloxacin use in previous treatment, use of fluoroquinolones in new patients, surgery in selected patients.