Outcomes with a shorter multidrug-resistant tuberculosis regimen from Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Background: In 2016, World Health Organization guidelines conditionally recommended standardised shorter 9-12-month regimens for multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis (TB) treatment. We conducted a prospective study of a shorter standardised MDR-TB regimen in Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan. Methods: Consecutive adults and children with confirmed rifampicin-resistant pulmonary TB were enrolled between September 1, 2013 and March 31, 2015; exclusions included prior treatment with second-line anti-TB drugs, and documented resistance to ofloxacin or to two second-line injectable agents. The primary outcome was recurrence-free cure at 1 year following treatment completion. Results: Of 146 enrolled patients, 128 were included: 67 female (52.3%), median age 30.1 (interquartile range 23.8-44.4) years. At the end of treatment, 71.9% (92 out of 128) of patients achieved treatment success, with 68% (87 out of 128) achieving recurrence-free cure at 1 year following completion. Unsuccessful outcomes during treatment included 22 (17.2%) treatment failures with fluoroquinolone-resistance amplification in 8 patients (8 out of 22, 36.4%); 12 (9.4%) lost to follow-up; and 2 (1.5%) deaths. Recurrence occurred in one patient. Fourteen patients (10.9%) experienced serious adverse events. Baseline resistance to both pyrazinamide and ethambutol (adjusted OR 6.13, 95% CI 2.01; 18.63) and adherence <95% (adjusted OR 5.33, 95% CI 1.73; 16.36) were associated with unsuccessful outcome in multivariable logistic regression. Conclusions: Overall success with a standardised shorter MDR-TB regimen was moderate with considerable treatment failure and amplification of fluoroquinolone resistance. When introducing standardised shorter regimens, baseline drug susceptibility testing and minimising missed doses are critical. High rates globally of pyrazinamide, ethambutol and ethionamide resistance raise questions of continued inclusion of these drugs in shorter regimens in the absence of drug susceptibility testing-confirmed susceptibility.
Date Issued
2021-01
Date Acceptance
2020-10-12
Citation
ERJ Open Research, 2021, 7 (1)
ISSN
2312-0541
Publisher
European Respiratory Society
Journal / Book Title
ERJ Open Research
Volume
7
Issue
1
Copyright Statement
Copyright ©ERS 2021. This article is open access and distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Licence 4.0.
License URL
Sponsor
Medicins sans Frontiers (UK)
National Institute for Health Research
Identifier
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33585652
PII: 00537-2020
Grant Number
N/A
RP-2016-07-012
Publication Status
Published online
Coverage Spatial
England
Date Publish Online
2021-02-08