Introduction:

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis treatment is effective in 50% of patients due to several factors including antibiotic susceptibility of the microorganism, adverse treatment reactions, social factors, and associated comorbidities.

Objectives:

In this study, we describe the demographics, clinical characteristics, and factors associated with treatment outcomes in multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) patients in Medellín, Colombia.

Materials and methods:

We conducted a retrospective analysis using data from patients diagnosed with MDR-TB attending Hospital La María in Medellín, Colombia, for treatment between 2010 and 2015. Patients were categorized as having successful (cured) or poor (failure, lost to follow-up, and death) treatment outcomes. Associations between demographic, clinical factors, laboratory results, treatment outcomes, and follow-up information were evaluated by univariate, multivariate, and multiple correspondence analyses.

Results:

Of the 128 patients with MDR-TB, 77 (60%) had successful outcomes. Of those with poor outcomes, 26 were lost to follow-up, 15 died, and 10 were treatment failures. Irregular treatment, the presence of comorbidities, and positive cultures after more than two months of treatment were associated with poor outcomes compared to successful ones (p<0.05 for all). The multiple correspondence analyses grouped patients who were lost to follow-up, had HIV, and drug addiction, as well as patients with treatment failure, irregular treatment, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Conclusion:

The recognition of factors affecting treatment is essential and was associated with treatment outcomes in this series of patients. Early identification of these factors should increase the rates of treatment success and contribute to MDR-TB control.

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