Smear grading at initial treatment association with treatment outcomes among new smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients: A retrospective study
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Keywords

DOTS, Mycobacterium Sputum Smear, Treatment failure, tuberculosis, Smear grading

Abstract

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the most challenging diseases in diagnosis, treatment and control. We aimed to assess the association of the initial grading of Mycobacterium Sputum Smear (MSS) on the outcomes of TB treatment.

Materials and Methods: In a historical study, data of 418 positive pulmonary smear patients were retrieved from the TB registration system in Iran during 2014 to 2020. Patients’ data included demographic, laboratory and clinical information and were recorded in our checklist. The grading of Mycobacterium Sputum Smear (MSS) at the initial treatment was assessed based on WHO guidelines. Chi-square test was used to assess the relationship between tuberculosis treatment outcomes and mycobacterium grade at initial treatment in SPSS.

Results: The mean age of cases was 51.19±22.29 years old and varied between 14 and 95 years. Laboratory results showed that the rate of 1-9, 1+,2+ and 3+ mycobacterium tuberculosis was 17.7%, 44.3%, 19.4% and 18.7%, respectively. The rate of cure, death and treatment failure in our patients was 87.1%, 6.9%, and 1.2%, respectively. The highest mortality rate (11.5%) occurred in patients with 3+ and the lower rate of cure was 79.5% in this group. Moreover, by increasing the mycobacterium grade the rate of transferred out and lost to follow up from treatment increased (p=0.024).

Conclusion: Death, treatment failure, lost to follow up and transferred out is more common in patients who have higher MSS. Therefore, improvement the health system and patient-diagnosis and screening programs is necessary to on-time diagnosis and facilitate the treatment process.

https://doi.org/10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2022.63.4.2457
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