Factors associated with treatment delay among tuberculosis patients referred from a tertiary hospital in Dhaka City: a cross-sectional study

Joint metabolomics and transcriptomics analysis systematically reveal the impact of MYCN in neuroblastoma

The limited understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying MYCN-amplified (MNA) neuroblastoma (NB) has hindered the identification of effective therapeutic targets for MNA NB, contributing to its higher mortality rate compared to MYCN non-amplified (non-MNA) NB. Therefore, a comprehensive analysis integrating metabolomics and transcriptomics was conducted to systematically investigate the MNA NB. Metabolomics analysis utilized plasma samples from 28 MNA NB patients and 68 non-MNA NB patients, while transcriptomics analysis employed tissue samples from 15 MNA NB patients and 37 non-MNA NB patients. Notably, joint metabolomics and transcriptomics analysis was performed. A total of 46 metabolites exhibited alterations, with 21 displaying elevated levels and 25 demonstrating reduced levels in MNA NB. In addition, 884 mRNAs in MNA NB showed significant changes, among which 766 mRNAs were higher and 118 mRNAs were lower. Joint-pathway analysis revealed three aberrant pathways involving glycerolipid metabolism, purine metabolism, and lysine degradation. This study highlights the substantial differences in metabolomics and transcriptomics between MNA NB and non-MNA NB, identifying three abnormal metabolic pathways that may serve as potential targets for understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying MNA NB.

Duration and determinants of delayed tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment in high-burden countries: a mixed-methods systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Thirty countries with the highest tuberculosis (TB) burden bear 87% of the world's TB cases. Delayed diagnosis and treatment are detrimental to TB prognosis and sustain TB transmission in the community, making TB elimination a great challenge, especially in these countries. Our objective was to elucidate the duration and determinants of delayed diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary TB in high TB-burden countries.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of quantitative and qualitative studies by searching four databases for literature published between 2008 and 2018 following PRISMA guidelines. We performed a narrative synthesis of the covariates significantly associated with patient, health system, treatment, and total delays. The pooled median duration of delay and effect sizes of covariates were estimated using random-effects meta-analyses. We identified key qualitative themes using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

This review included 124 articles from 14 low- and lower-middle-income countries (LIC and LMIC) and five upper-middle-income countries (UMIC). The pooled median duration of delays (in days) were-patient delay (LIC/LMIC: 28 (95% CI 20-30); UMIC: 10 (95% CI 10-20), health system delay (LIC/LMIC: 14 (95% CI 2-28); UMIC: 4 (95% CI 2-4), and treatment delay (LIC/LMIC: 14 (95% CI 3-84); UMIC: 0 (95% CI 0-1). There was consistent evidence that being female and rural residence was associated with longer patient delay. Patient delay was also associated with other individual, interpersonal, and community risk factors such as poor TB knowledge, long chains of care-seeking through private/multiple providers, perceived stigma, financial insecurities, and poor access to healthcare. Organizational and policy factors mediated health system and treatment delays. These factors included the lack of resources and complex administrative procedures and systems at the health facilities. We identified data gaps in 11 high-burden countries.

CONCLUSIONS

This review presented the duration of delays and detailed the determinants of delayed TB diagnosis and treatment in high-burden countries. The gaps identified could be addressed through tailored approaches, education, and at a higher level, through health system strengthening and provision of universal health coverage to reduce delays and improve access to TB diagnosis and care. PROSPERO registration: CRD42018107237.

Patient factors related to pre-treatment delay of pulmonary tuberculosis: A retrospective cohort study in Bangladesh

BACKGROUND

Burden of tuberculosis (TB) is still high in Bangladesh. Pre-treatment delay is a hindrance in reducing this burden by early diagnosis and prompt treatment of TB. The study was conducted to identify the patient factors related to pre-treatment delay of pulmonary TB.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study was performed during January to June 2018 in a cohort of 240 consecutively enrolled; newly detected adult pulmonary TB (PTB) patients initiated anti-TB therapy during the study period. Two DOTS were selected randomly using cluster sampling and all the PTB patients enrolled in the DOTS centres formed the study population. Informed written consent was obtained from the patients, prior to data collection. Data were collected by face-to-face interview and reviewing medical records using a semi-structured questionnaire and checklist respectively.

RESULTS

Age of the patients was associated with pre-treatment delay of TB (p < 0.05) with predominance in elderly (75.0%). Delay in care seeking was associated with inability to make decision (RR = 1.84; AR: 35.84%) and awareness of patients (RR = 0.33; AR = -40.0%). Delay in diagnosis was associated with economic problem (RR: 1.63; AR: 28.85%); work barrier (RR: 1.75; AR: 35.03%); inability to make decision (RR: 1.93; AR: 40.65%); delayed investigation (RR: 2.88; AR: 56.17%); others' assistance (RR: 1.77; AR: 28.53%); and symptomatic treatment (RR: 6.43; AR: 65.14%). Delay in treatment initiation was associated with repeated investigations (RR = 1.52; AR: 23.29%) and smear positivity (RR: 0.64; AR: 23.11%). Awareness of patients regarding symptoms and smear positivity were revealed as protective factors for pre-treatment delay of TB.

CONCLUSION

Delay in care seeking, diagnosis, and treatment initiation contribute substantially to pre-treatment delay of PTB. Considerable reduction in pre-treatment delay may be achieved through changes in awareness of patients and ensuring early diagnosis and prompt treatment of PTB under DOTS programme.

Characteristics and factors associated with treatment delay in pleural tuberculosis

BACKGROUND

Current strategies for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of pleural TB have been inadequate, several challenges and issues related with pleural TB have been reported.

AIM

To summarize the main features of pleural tuberculosis (TB) and determine the risk factors in treatment delay.

DESIGN

Retrospective analysis of hospital records.

METHODS

Consecutive confirmed TB patients with pleural effusion were enrolled in the study. Demographic and epidemiological data were collected from electronic medical records. Treatment delay duration was stratified into two categories: <30 days and ≥30 days. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate risk factors for the delay.

RESULTS

From July 2011 to September 2015, a total of 723 patients were enrolled, 72.1% of patients had pulmonary TB, 8.9% had empyema, 8.9% were multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB). Multivariate analysis revealed that MDR-TB (odds ratios (OR) = 2.485, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.347, 4.587), pulmonary TB (OR = 1.452, 95% CI 1.010, 2.087) and empyema (OR = 4.355, 95% CI 2.185, 8.680) were significant risk factors for treatment delay, while fever (OR= 0.519, 95% CI 0.362, 0.744) as well as pleural protein (≥45 g/l) (OR=0.470, 95% CI 0.332, 0.667) were the protective factors.

CONCLUSION

MDR-TB, pulmonary TB and empyema were significant risk factors for treatment delay, while fever and high pleural protein were protective factors. Tuberculous empyema remains a major problem in China, adequate awareness should be created for the management.

Treatment Delay among Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients within the Pakistan National Tuberculosis Control Program

Delay in diagnosis and treatment worsens the disease and clinical outcomes, which further enhances transmission of tuberculosis (TB) in the community. Therefore, this study aims to assess treatment delay and its associated factors among pulmonary TB patients in Pakistan. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 269 pulmonary TB patients in the district. Binary and multivariate logistic regressions were used to explore the factors associated with delay in TB treatment. Results reveal that most patients were from low socioeconomic backgrounds. For example, 74.7% were living in kacha houses, 54.7% were from lowest the income group (< 250 US$/month), 60.2% married, 54.3% illiterate, 62.5% rural, 56.1% had no house ownership, and 56.5% had insufficient income for daily family expenditures. Significant delays were revealed by this study: 160 patients had experienced a delay of more than 4 weeks, whereas the median delay was 5 weeks. Results show that the most important reason for patient delay was low income and poverty (42.0%) followed by unaware of TB center (41.6), stigma (felt ashamed = 38.7%), and treatment from local traditional healers. Old age (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 6.6; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.63-26.95); and rural areas patients (AOR = 2.1; 95% CI = 1.15-3.71) were more likely to have experienced delay. However, the higher income and sufficient income category (AOR = 0.5; 95% CI = 0.31-0.95) were associated factors and less likely to experience delay in patient treatment. Integrative prevention interventions, such as those involving community leaders, health extension workers such as lady health workers, and specialized TB centers, would help to reduce delay and expand access to TB-care facilities.

Health system delay in treatment of multidrug resistant tuberculosis patients in Bangladesh

Background

Bangladesh is one of the 27 high burden countries for multidrug resistant tuberculosis listed by the World Health Organization. Delay in multidrug resistant tuberculosis treatment may allow progression of the disease and affect the attempts to curb transmission of drug resistant tuberculosis. The main objective of this study was to investigate the health system delay in multidrug resistant tuberculosis treatment in Bangladesh and to explore the factors related to the delay.

Methods

Information related to the delay was collected as part of a previously conducted case–control study. The current study restricts analysis to patients with multidrug resistant tuberculosis who were diagnosed using rapid diagnostic methods (Xpert MTB/RIF or the line probe assay). Information was collected by face-to-face interviews and through record reviews from all three Government hospitals providing multidrug resistant tuberculosis services, from September 2012 to April 2013. Multivariable regression analysis was performed using Bootstrap variance estimators. Definitions were as follows: Provider delay: time between visiting a provider for first consultation on MDR-TB related symptom to visiting a designated diagnostic centre for testing; Diagnostic delay: time from date of diagnostic sample provided to date of result; Treatment initiation delay: time between the date of diagnosis and date of treatment initiation; Health system delay: time between visiting a provider to start of treatment. Health system delay was derived by adding provider delay, diagnostic delay and treatment initiation delay.

Results

The 207 multidrug resistant tuberculosis patients experienced a health system delay of median 7.1 weeks. The health system delay consists of provider delay (median 4 weeks), diagnostic delay (median 5 days) and treatment initiation delay (median 10 days). Health system delay (Coefficient: 37.7; 95 %; CI 15.0–60.4; p 0.003) was associated with the visit to private practitioners for first consultation.

Conclusions

Diagnosis time for multidrug resistant tuberculosis was fast using the rapid tests. However, some degree of delay was present in treatment initiation, after diagnosis. The most effective way to reduce health system delay would be through strategies such as engaging private practitioners in multidrug resistant tuberculosis control.