RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Predictors of delayed smear conversion after 2 months of tuberculosis treatment
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP P2660
VO 40
IS Suppl 56
A1 Hajer ben Abdelghaffar
A1 Eya Tangour
A1 Leila Fekih
A1 Soraya Fenniche
A1 Ines Akrout
A1 Hela Hassene
A1 Dorra Greb
A1 Hela Kammoun
A1 Wided Ben hamad
A1 Dalinda Belhabib
A1 Mohamed Lamine Megdiche
YR 2012
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P2660.abstract
AB Late smear conversion after 2 months of tuberculosis (TB) treatment represents a major problem. Objectives: Isolate the environmental, clinical, radiological, bacteriological and biological factors associated with a delayed smear conversion. Methods: We analyzed records from 60 tuberculosis patients, from which 20 had a delayed smear conversion. Those patients were compared in terms of clinical presentation, radiological, bacteriological and biological results, environmental data and evolution under treatment. Results: Smoking was significantly associated with delayed smear conversion (85% of patients with a late conversion were smokers versus 47.5%,p 0.05), as well as history of diabetes type II (25% with late smear conversion versus 4% of controls p=0035). This correlation was established for a delayed consultation (2 months) p 0.01. Radiological data showed that bilateral lesions and extended unilateral lesions were significantly associated with delayed smear conversion (p 0.03, p 0003). Biologically, a frank increase in CRP was statistically predictive of late conversion. (p 0.02). A positive association between the occurrence of adverse events that did not require discontinuation of treatment and delayed smear conversion was also found (p 0.02). A positive correlation has not been established for the geographical distance, the low economic level, for a body mass index below 18.5 kg/m2. In terms of bacteriology, the load of bacilli was not significantly associated with delayed smear conversion. Conclusion: Identifying predictors of late smear conversion may allow us to set up effective preventive measures to fight against the spread of the disease and limit its complications.