Abstract
Background: Delayed smear conversion during treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) can be different depending on socio-economic environments. However, little data is existed about the delayed smear conversion in South Korea, with intermediate TB burden despite rapid economy and low prevalence of HIV infection.
Objective: To evaluate the risk factors of delayed sputum smear conversion in patients pulmonary TB and compare treatment outcomes between smear conversion and non-conversion group.
Design: Retrospective case-control study of 276 patients with pulmonary TB was conducted at Incheon St. Mary's Hospital of The Catholic University of Korea in 2007-2013.
Results: The sensitivity, specificity and predictive value of 2-month sputum smear status for predicting 2-month culture conversion were 79.8%, 78.6% and 86.3% respectively. Vitamin D deficiency (OR, 3.35; 95%CI , 1.17-9.62) was an independent factor associated with 2-month sputum smear non-conversion. Patients with 2-month non-conversion received longer treatment than patients with 2-month conversion (224.8 ± 76.78 vs. 265.49 ± 81.12 , P < .001 ). However, there were no significant differences between two groups in treatment outcomes.
Conclusions: Delayed sputum smear conversion had no effect on treatment outcomes, but treatment duration in patients with non-conversion was longer. Intensification of treatment should be considered in patients with vitamin D deficiency.
- Copyright ©the authors 2016
