Treatment Results of Multidrug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) Patients in the Aegean Region

Abstract

Aim: We report our experience in treating patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in an education and research hospital in Izmir, Turkey.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the patient profile, demographic data, drug resistance status, treatment regimen, side effects, treatment success, mortality, and relapse in patients with RD / MDR-TB who were followed up and treated at Suat Seren Chest Diseases and surgery Education and Training Hospital between 2010 and 2018.

Results: 109 patients were diagnosed as RD / MDR-TB in our center between the mentioned time period. The mean age of 109 patients was 46.3 ± 16.3years. 83 (76.1%) of patients were male. Thirteen (11.9%) of 109 patients had rifampicin resistance without isoniazid. Amikacin resistance was studied in 71 (65.1%) patients and 8 (7.3%) resistance was found. Moxifloxacin resistance was studied in 65 (59.6%) patients and resistance was found in 3 (2.8%) patients. Linezolid resistance was studied in 57 (52.2%) patients and resistance was found in 2 (1.8%) patients. The mean time for culture conversion was 2.3 ± 1.6 months. The total duration of treatment was 21.1 ± 6.6 months. Treatment results were cured in 81 (77.9%) patients and treatment completion was achieved in 13 (12.5%). Treatment success was found to be 94 (90.4%). No patient had recurrence. 10 (9.6%) patients died. 71 of 104 patients were treated with 5 or less drugs, 33 were treated with 6 or more drugs. The cure rate (90.9%) of the patients treated with 6 or more drugs was found to be significantlyhigher than the other group (71.8%) (p = 0.029)

Conclusion: TB fight can be successful with TB control programs that are carried out with determination.