Determining the risk factors associated with delayed sputum conversion at the end of the intensive phase among tuberculosis patients

Is Tobacco Use Associated With Risk of Recurrence and Mortality Among People With TB?: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Associations between tobacco use and poor TB treatment outcomes are well documented. However, for important outcomes such as TB recurrence or relapse and mortality during treatment, as well as for associations with smokeless tobacco (ST), the evidence is not summarized systematically.

RESEARCH QUESTION

Is tobacco use associated with risk of poor treatment outcomes among people with TB?

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

The MEDLINE, Embase, and Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature databases were searched on November 22, 2021. Epidemiologic studies reporting associations between tobacco use and at least one TB treatment outcome were eligible. Independent double-screening, extractions, and quality assessments were undertaken. Random effects meta-analyses were conducted for the two primary review outcomes (TB recurrence or relapse and mortality during treatment), and heterogeneity was explored using subgroups. Other outcomes were synthesized narratively.

RESULTS

Our searches identified 1,249 records, of which 28 were included in the meta-analyses. Based on 15 studies, higher risk of TB recurrence or relapse was found with ever using tobacco vs never using tobacco (risk ratio [RR], 1.78; 95% CI, 1.31-2.43; I2 = 85%), current tobacco use vs no tobacco use (RR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.59-2.40; I2 = 72%), and former tobacco use vs never using tobacco (RR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.21-2.80; I2 = 4%); heterogeneity arose from differences in study quality, design, and participant characteristics. Thirty-eight studies were identified for mortality, of which 13 reported mortality during treatment. Ever tobacco use (RR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.32-1.81; I2 = 0%) and current tobacco use (RR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.09-2.10; I2 = 87%) significantly increased the likelihood of mortality during treatment among people with TB compared with never using tobacco and not currently using tobacco, respectively; heterogeneity was explained largely by differences in study design. Almost all studies in the meta-analyses scored high or moderate on quality assessments. Narrative synthesis showed that tobacco use was a risk factor for other unfavorable TB treatment outcomes, as previously documented. Evidence on ST was limited, but identified studies suggested an increased risk for poor outcomes with its use compared with not using it.

INTERPRETATION

Tobacco use significantly increases the risk of TB recurrence or relapse and mortality during treatment among people with TB, highlighting the need to address tobacco use to improve TB outcomes.

TRIAL REGISTRY

PROSPERO; No.: CRD42017060821; URL: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/.

Risk factors for delayed sputum conversion: A qualitative case study from the person-in-charge of TB program's perspectives

Background

One of the indicators to determine the success of TB treatment is the conversion of sputum from smear positive to negative. However, several factors can lead to this failure of sputum conversion.

Objectives

To investigate the risk factors for delayed sputum conversion from the person-in-charge (PIC) of the TB program's perspective.

Design and methods

This qualitative case study was conducted on September 7th, 2022. Thirty-one PICs of the TB program from 31 public health centers (Puskesmas) in Bandar Lampung, Indonesia, were recruited purposively. All participants were grouped into three FGDs. Developed semi-structured interview questions were used for data collection. Thematic analysis was used to synthesize and cross-reference emerging topics.

Results

Three themes emerged in our study: (1) individual factors with the sub-themes of medication adherence, education, initial laboratory examination, comorbid disease, nutrition, and lifestyle; (2) environmental factors with the sub-themes of types of support, sources of support, environmental conditions and stigma; and (3) health service factors with the sub-theme of access to health service facilities.

Conclusions

Problems related to TB management are not only the individual's responsibility but need to strengthen support from the environment and health services.

Prevalence and factors associated with sputum smear non-conversion after two months of tuberculosis treatment among smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Rwanda: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Non-conversion of sputum smear prolongs the infectivity of pulmonary tuberculosis patients and has been associated with unfavorable tuberculosis (TB) treatment outcomes. Nevertheless, there is a limited evidence on predictors of sputum smear non-conversion among smear-positive PTB (SPPTB) patients in Rwanda. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the factors associated with sputum smear non-conversion after two months of treatment among SPPTB patients in Rwanda.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among SPPTB patients registered in the national electronic TB reporting system by all health facilities countrywide (Rwanda) from July 2019 to June 2021. Eligible patients who had completed the first two months of anti-TB treatment and with smear results at the end of the second month of treatment were included in the study. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were done using STATA version 16 to determine the factors associated with sputum smear non-conversion. Adjusted odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence interval (CI), and p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

This study included 7,211 patients. Of them, 632 (9%) patients had sputum smear non-conversion at the end of the second month of treatment. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, age groups of 20-39 years (AOR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.0-2.8) and 40-59 years (AOR:2, 95% CI: 1.1-3.3), history of first-line TB treatment failure (AOR = 2, 95% CI: 1.1-3.6), follow-up by community health workers(CHWs) (AOR = 1.2, 95% CI: 1.0-1.5), BMI < 18.5 at TB treatment initiation (AOR = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.2-1.8), and living in Northern Province of Rwanda (AOR = 1.4, 95% CI: 1.0-2.0), were found to be significantly associated with sputum smear non-conversion after two months of treatment.

CONCLUSION

Sputum smear non-conversion among SPPTB patients remains low in Rwanda compared to countries of similar health care setting. Identified risk factors for sputum smear non-conversion among SPPTB patients in Rwanda were age (20-39 years, 40-59 years), history of first-line TB treatment failure, follow up by CHWs, BMI < 18.5 at TB treatment initiation and residence (Northern province).

Wahid UNI, Ling LL, Liansim SMS, Oon J, Balakrishnan MN, Ng WL, Cheong AT. Prevalence and associated factors of delayed sputum smear conversion in patients treated for smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis: A retrospective follow up study in Sabah, Malaysia

INTRODUCTION

Tuberculosis remains a major health problem globally and in Malaysia, particularly in the state of Sabah. Delayed sputum conversion is associated with treatment failure, drug-resistant tuberculosis and mortality. We aimed to determine the prevalence of delayed sputum conversion among smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients and its associated factors in Sabah, Malaysia.

METHODS

A retrospective follow up study on all patients newly diagnosed with smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis from 2017 to 2019 was conducted at three government health clinics in Sabah, utilizing data from a national electronic tuberculosis database and medical records. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression were applied for data analysis. The outcome of the study was the sputum conversion status at the end of the two-month intensive treatment phase with either successful conversion to smear negative or non-conversion.

RESULTS

374 patients were included in the analysis. Our patients were generally younger than 60 years old with no medical illness and varying proportions of tuberculosis severity as judged by radiographic appearance and sputum bacillary load upon diagnosis. Foreigners constituted 27.8% of our sample. 8.8% (confidence interval: 6.2-12.2) did not convert to smear negative at the end of the intensive phase. Binary logistic regression showed that older patients ≥60 years old (adjusted odds ratio, AOR = 4.303), foreigners (AOR = 3.184) and patients with higher sputum bacillary load at diagnosis [2+ (AOR = 5.061) and 3+ (AOR = 4.992)] were more likely to have delayed sputum smear conversion.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of delayed sputum conversion in our study was considerably low at 8.8% with age ≥60 years old, foreigners and higher pre-treatment sputum bacillary load associated with delayed conversion. Healthcare providers should take note of these factors and ensure the patients receive proper follow up treatment.