European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

EVALUATION OF RESISTANCE AND TREATMENT OUTCOMES TO ANTI-TUBERCULAR DRUGS - A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

Devindra Kumar Neupane*, Rahi Bikram Thapa*, Prasanna Dahal, Sabin Shrestha, Anuraj Anu and Navraj Upreti

ABSTRACT

Background: Tuberculosis remains a significant global health issue, causing significant mortality, especially in resource-limited settings, particularly in Asia and Africa, with multi-drug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) variants complicating treatment and control. Objective: This study aims to evaluate TB patients' resistance patterns and treatment outcomes at the Nepal Anti Tuberculosis Association (NATA), Biratnagar, Nepal. Method: The retrospective, observational study reviewed the medical records of 502 TB patients treated at NATA Biratnagar from June 2012 to July 2014. Data collected included sociodemographic characteristics, types of TB, drug resistance patterns, and treatment outcomes. The study used descriptive statistics to analyse the data. Results: 502 tuberculosis patients were included in this study; 357(71%) were male, and 145(29%) were female. People with productive age, 20-40 years of age with a mean age of 35±15.05, were highly susceptible to getting TB infection and drug resistance. Drug-resistant problems occurred in 145 patients, including referred patients. Among drug-resistant tuberculosis patients, 131 patients (90%) with MDR, 6 patients (4%) with pre-XDR, and 9 patients (6%) with XDR-TB. Out of resistant patients, 58 were cured, 8 complete the treatment, 19 failed, 14 died, 15 were treatment defaulters, 6 were transferred out remaining were on treatment among non resistant patients, 130(37%) were cured, 125(35%) complete treatment, 23(6%) failure, 20(6%) died, 12(3%) defaulter, 17(5%) transfer out, 7(2%) diagnosis change and 23(6%) patients were on treatment. Conclusion: The study reveals that productive-age individuals are at higher risk of tuberculosis and drug resistance, necessitating awareness programs and improved TB control programs.

Keywords: Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Drug-resistant tuberculosis, Multidrug-resistance, extreme drug resistance treatment outcomes.