Successful supervised ambulatory management of tuberculosis treatment failures

The impact of social conditions on patient adherence to pulmonary tuberculosis treatment

SETTING

Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the main concerns in global health. One of the main threats to treatment success is patient non-adherence to anti-tuberculosis treatment.

OBJECTIVE

To identify the relation between social conditions and treatment adherence in a prospective cohort setting in an intermediate TB burden country.

DESIGN

To identify associations between poor adherence and social conditions, including educational level, type of residence and occupation, we constructed hierarchical logistic regression models.

RESULTS

A total of 551 participants were included in the study. Low educational levels, poor housing and occupations in the construction and manufacturing industries and service sectors were associated with poor adherence; this association was likely to be differentiated by previous history of anti-tuberculosis treatment.

CONCLUSION

Policy making should focus on improving the social conditions of patients by working towards better housing conditions and providing health promoting working conditions to enable treatment adherence.

New regimens for reducing the duration of the treatment of drug-susceptible pulmonary tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) remains an important health problem worlwide. The structure necessary for delivering TB treatment and implementing the directly observed treatment accounts for more than two-thirds of its final cost. Furthemore, although with efficacy greater than 90%, the effectiveness of present treatment regimens ranges from 55-85%, depending on the setting, mainly due to poor adherence. Duration of treatment with the current first-line anti-TB drugs is a minimum of 6 months. Reducing the duration of the treatment from six to two months or less could result in significant increase of adherence to treatment and cost reduction. The aim of this review is to highlight potential new agents or new drug combinations that could reduce the time of treatment of drug-susceptible TB, currently under study or recently evaluated through clinical trials. We conducted a literature search in the English language for clinical studies as well as an electronic computer-assisted and manual search. The literature search was conducted on November 2010, using MEDLINE (2000-2010), EMBASE (2000-2010) and the National Institute of Health (NIH) Clinical Trials Register database (2000-2010). Most of the new agents identified as anti-TB drug candidates are still in the preclinical phases. Nitroimidazole-PA-824 and fluoroquinolones are evaluated while two first line drugs - rifampicin and rifapentine -are re-evaluated to optimize their efficacy in new ultra-short anti-TB regimens through phases II/III clinical studies. A summary of the studies are presented, with their potential to change recommendations for TB treatment in the near future.

Tuberculosis and illicit drug use: review and update

Illicit drug users continue to be a group at high risk for tuberculosis (TB). Here, we present an updated review of the relationship between TB and illicit drug use, and we summarize more than a decade of new research. Drug users, and injection drug users in particular, have driven TB epidemics in a number of countries. The successful identification and treatment of TB among illicit drug users remain important components of a comprehensive TB strategy, but illicit drug users present a unique set of challenges for TB diagnosis and control. New diagnostic modalities, including interferon-gamma-release assays, offer potential for improved diagnosis and surveillance among this group, along with proven treatment strategies that incorporate the use of directly observed therapy with treatment for drug abuse. Special considerations, including coinfection with viral hepatitis and the rifampin-methadone drug interaction, warrant clinical attention and are also updated here.

Developing a directly administered antiretroviral therapy intervention for HIV-infected drug users: implications for program replication

Directly administered antiretroviral therapy (DAART) is one approach to improving adherence to among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected drug users. We evaluated the essential features of a community-based DAART intervention in a randomized, controlled trial of DAART versus self-administered therapy. Of the initial 72 subjects, 78% were racial minorities, and 32% were women. Social and medical comorbidities among subjects included homelessness (35% of subjects), lack of interpersonal support (86%), major depression (57%), and alcoholism (36%). At baseline, the median CD4+ cell count was 403 cells/mL and the median HIV-1 RNA load was 146,333 copies/mL (log10 5.31 copies/mL). During the prior 6 months, 33% of subjects had missed a medical appointment, and 47% had visited an emergency department. Although most subjects (67%) preferred to take their own medications, 76% would accept DAART if it were made compulsory. A methadone clinic was the DAART venue acceptable to the fewest subjects (36%), and a mobile syringe-exchange program was acceptable to the most subjects (83%). Adherence was higher for supervised than for unsupervised medication administration (P<.0001), a finding that supports use of daily supervision of once-daily regimens. Moreover, DAART should incorporate enhanced elements such as convenience, flexibility, confidentiality, cues and reminders, responsive pharmacy and medical services, and specialized training for staff.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria in the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. Of these, the most common species to infect humans is M. tuberculosis. The TB bacillus is an extremely successful human pathogen, infecting two billion persons worldwide; an estimated 2 to 3 million people die from tuberculosis each year. In the United States, TB rates decreased steadily at the rate of 5% per year from 1953 until 1985 when the trend reversed, with the number of TB cases peaking in 1992. Outbreaks of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR TB) were reported, and these cases were documented to be transmitted in nosocomial and congregate settings, including hospitals and prisons. AIDS patients infected with M. tb developed disease rapidly, and case-fatality rates of >80% were noted in those infected with multidrug-resistant M. tb. Intensive intervention, at enormous cost, caused the number of TB cases to decline. This article discusses factors that led to the increase in TB cases, their subsequent decline, and measures needed in the future if TB is to be eliminated in the United States.

A controlled trial of methadone treatment combined with directly observed isoniazid for tuberculosis prevention in injection drug users

Substance abuse is associated with high risk for tuberculosis (TB) and poor adherence to medication regimens. This study compared completion rates for isoniazid (INH) preventive therapy for injection drug users (IDUs) randomly assigned to methadone treatment combined with directly observed preventive treatment (DOPT) versus those assigned to routine TB clinic referral without methadone treatment. One hundred and eleven opioid-dependent patients with latent TB were assigned to one of three 6-month treatment conditions: standard methadone treatment including substance abuse counseling combined with daily INH DOPT (n=37); minimal methadone treatment without counseling, also combined with daily INH DOPT (n=35); or routine care referral to TB clinic for monthly INH supplies without DOPT and without methadone treatment (n=39). INH completion rates were 77.1% for minimal methadone and 59.5% for standard methadone, as compared with only 13.5% for routine care (P<0.0001). Mean duration of INH treatment retention was 5.7, 5.0 and 1.6 months, respectively (P<0.0001). TB incidence at 4-year follow-up was 0 of 54 subjects who completed preventive therapy versus 2 of 57 who failed to complete. One of these two had been assigned to routine care, and the other to minimal methadone. In conclusion, INH retention time and completion rates were significantly improved by methadone treatment combined with observed INH, whether or not substance abuse counseling was provided. The results of this study indicate that methadone treatment offers clear public health benefits when it is used to deliver preventive medical services.

Antecedents of adherence to antituberculosis therapy

This correlational study identified antecedents of adherence to antituberculosis (anti-TB) therapy in a convenience sample of 62 English-speaking adults. From a demographic perspective, the study sample was similar to the referent population of TB patients in Georgia. A variety of parametric analyses revealed the following: The mean self-reported adherence score was 92.6% (SD = 3.3). Higher levels of self-reported adherence were associated with an annual income of $11,000 or more, education beyond high school, no current alcohol use, perceived support and absence of barriers to medication taking, strong intentions to adhere, and a high capacity for self-care. Those six variables accounted for 28% of adherence variance, F(6, 44) of 4.3, p = 0.0017. Additionally, belief in the usefulness and benefit of the medications was strongly correlated with intentions to adhere (r = 0.83, p < 0.001), and interpersonal aspects of care was significantly correlated with perceptions of medication utility (r = 0.65, p < 0.001), supports/barriers (r = 0.44, p < 0.001), intentions (r = 0.69, p < 0.001), and self-care (r = -0.42, p < 0.01). Persons who were diagnosed with both TB and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) reported significantly lower adherence.

A randomized, controlled trial of interventions to improve adherence to isoniazid therapy to prevent tuberculosis in injection drug users

PURPOSE

To determine the effect of several interventions on adherence to tuberculosis preventive therapy.

METHODS

We conducted a randomized trial with a factorial design comparing strategies for improving adherence to isoniazid preventive therapy in 300 injection drug users with reactive tuberculin tests and no evidence of active tuberculosis. Patients were assigned to receive directly observed isoniazid preventive therapy twice weekly (Supervised group, n = 99), daily self-administered isoniazid with peer counseling and education (Peer group, n = 101), or routine care (Routine group, n = 100). Patients within each arm were also randomly assigned to receive an immediate or deferred monthly $10 stipend for maintaining adherence. The endpoints of the trial were completing 6 months of treatment, pill-taking as measured by self-report or observation, isoniazid metabolites present in urine, and bottle opening as determined by electronic monitors in a subset of patients.

RESULTS

Completion of therapy was 80% for patients in the Supervised group, 78% in the Peer group, and 79% in the Routine group (P = 0.70). Completion was 83% (125 of 150) among patients receiving immediate incentives versus 75% (112 of 150) among patients with deferred incentives (P = 0.09). The proportion of patients who were observed or reported taking at least 80% of their doses was 82% for the Supervised arm of the study, compared with 71% for the Peer arm and 90% for the Routine arm. The proportion of patients who took 100% of doses was 77% for the Supervised arm (by observation), 6% for the Peer arm (by report), and 10% for the Routine arm (by report; P <0.001). Direct observation showed the median proportion of doses taken by the Supervised group was 100%, while electronic monitoring in a subset of patients showed the Peer group (n = 27) took 57% of prescribed doses and the Routine group (n = 32) took 49% (P <0.001). Patients in the Routine arm overreported adherence by twofold when data from electronic monitoring were used as a gold standard. There were no significant differences in electronically monitored adherence by type of incentive.

CONCLUSION

Adherence to isoniazid preventive therapy by injection drug users is best with supervised care. Peer counseling improves adherence over routine care, as measured by electronic monitoring of pill caps, and patients receiving peer counseling more accurately reported their adherence. More widespread use of supervised care could contribute to reductions in tuberculosis rates among drug users and possibly other high-risk groups.

[Outcome of treating initial tuberculosis in the area south of Seville in a 5-year period (1994-1998]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the outcome of treating initial tuberculosis (ITB) in the hospital district south of Seville (Spain).

MATERIAL AND METHOD

A descriptive study of treatment outcome in cases of ITB in our district between 1 January 1994 and 31 December 1998. Outcome was classified according to World Health Organization guidelines:successful (S) potentially unsuccessful (PU), exitus (EX) and transferred out (T).Four hundred fifty-four patients (mean age 35 years) were enrolled; 22% were HIV+ and 21% were intravenous drug users (IVDU). Treatment was self-administered in all cases, with 98% being given the standard prescription of 6 or 9 drugs. No subsequent case history was found for 15 cases, such that outcome could not be assessed.

RESULTS

Of the 439 evaluable cases, outcome was S for 74% (326/439), PU for 16% (70/439), EX for 8% (36/439) and T for 6. Outcome for HIV + patients was poorer than for HIV- patients (S: 35/98 versus 291/341, p < 0.00005;PU: 40/98 versus 30/341, p < 0.00005), and the mortality rate of HIV+ patients was higher than that of HIV- patients (EX:18/98 versus 18/341, p < 0.0008). Among those classified PU,no cases of treatment failure were recorded and up to 78% (31/40)were cases of loss of follow-up or abandonment. The variable most closely related to PU was IVDU status (OR = 10.5, p < 0.00005).

CONCLUSION

a) Outcomes for the general population are acceptable. b)A marginal group has been identified as characterized by two variables, HIV+ and IVDU, which are the factors associated with poorer outcome of self-administered treatment, indicating that supervised treatment is advisable in cases where those factors are present.

Tuberculosis in North Carolina: trends across two decades, 1980-1999

In North Carolina, we analyzed cumulative data for tuberculosis (TB) from 1980 through 1999 to determine trends in incidence, population subgroups at risk, and implications for health policy- makers. The overall incidence rates declined significantly over the study period (p = 0.0001). This decline correlates strongly with an increase in TB patients receiving directly observed therapy. Males have approximately twice the risk for disease, and persons >65 years of age are at the highest risk. For every Caucasian with TB, six blacks, six Hispanics, and eight Asians have the disease. TB incidence rates are declining in all other population subgroups but increasing in foreign-born and Hispanic persons.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of a directly observed therapy program with Vietnamese tuberculosis patients

Tuberculosis (TB) has long been recognized as major public health problem. The rate of TB is high in immigrants, and the frequency of drug resistance is increasing. A major reason for the development of resistant infections as well as relapse is poor adherence to TB treatment. In response to thi problem, directly observed therapy (DOT) was introduced to thi TB program in Santa Clara county in 1993. The purpose of thi study is to compare the completion rates, relapse rates, and sputum conversion rates between a DOT group and a non-DOT group of Vietnamese TB patients. A chart review was completed with a convenience sample of 25 records of DOT patients ani 25 records of non-DOT patients. Frequencies and percentage were used to analyze the completion rates and the relapse rates The results show that the completion of therapy rate was 16% higher in the DOT group and the relapse rate was 8% lower. A t-test indicated that the sputum conversion rate was significantly more rapid in the DOT group than in the non-DOT group (p< 0.05). Vietnamese TB patients appear to benefit from the DOT program.

In vivo efficacy of ABT-255 against drug-sensitive and -resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains

Current therapy for pulmonary tuberculosis involves 6 months of treatment with isoniazid, pyrazinamide, rifampin, and ethambutol or streptomycin for reliable treatment efficacy. The long treatment period increases the probability of noncompliance, leading to the generation of multidrug-resistant isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. A treatment option that significantly shortened the course of therapy, or a new class of antibacterial effective against drug-resistant M. tuberculosis would be of value. ABT-255 is a novel 2-pyridone antibacterial agent which demonstrates in vitro potency and in vivo efficacy against drug-susceptible and drug-resistant M. tuberculosis strains. By the Alamar blue reduction technique, the MIC of ABT-255 against susceptible strains of M. tuberculosis ranged from 0.016 to 0.031 microg/ml. The MIC of ABT-255 against rifampin- or ethambutol-resistant M. tuberculosis isolates was 0.031 microg/ml. In a murine model of pulmonary tuberculosis, 4 weeks of oral ABT-255 therapy produced a 2- to 5-log10 reduction in viable drug-susceptible M. tuberculosis counts from lung tissue. Against drug-resistant strains of M. tuberculosis, ABT-255 produced a 2- to 3-log10 reduction in viable bacterial counts from lung tissue. ABT-255 is a promising new antibacterial agent with activity against M. tuberculosis.

Universal directly observed therapy. A treatment strategy for tuberculosis

Patient adherence to prescribed tuberculosis regimens must be assured to prevent relapse, acquired resistance, and transmission. Directly observed therapy (DOT), an outpatient management strategy designed to ensure adherence, is not widely used because it is perceived to be inordinately expensive. The primary focus of this article is on using universal, as opposed to selective, DOT in the treatment of tuberculosis patients. Universal DOT is a policy where it is intended that observed therapy be used for all patients. Selective DOT is a policy where patients are observed taking medications only if certain selection criteria are satisfied. Topics addressed include cost, efficacy, nonadherence, and implementation guidelines.

Short-course therapy of pulmonary tuberculosis: doctor's compliance

OBJECTIVE

The present study, conducted from 1986 to 1991, investigated the accuracy of treatment monitoring performed by practitioners in the out-patient treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis.

DESIGN

All patients with smear or culture positive pulmonary tuberculosis, receiving 6-month short-course chemotherapy with Isoniazid (H), Rifampicin (R) and Pyrazinamide (Z), were included. Treatment had been initiated either in our unit, or shortly before, with discharge after an average time of 8 weeks. Practitioners were sent a flow sheet advising how to perform standardized ambulatory controls.

RESULTS

Forty-three patients were included in the study, four of whom did not visit their practitioner after discharge. It must be assumed that they did not complete treatment. The average follow-up time of the remaining 39 patients was 159 weeks. In 13 cases the treatment was prolonged without obvious reason. For four patients who had not converted to a negative sputum culture at discharge, negativity was never been proven thereafter. Objective means of assessing patient compliance by H-urine strip testing were undertaken only in three cases. X-ray controls were performed adequately in 44.4% of the cases. By contrast monthly checks of liver enzymes had been done only in 23.1% of the patients.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that even a highly standardized protocol of short-course tuberculosis treatment requires a certain level of experience and compliance on the part of the practitioner. We accordingly recommend that every case of pulmonary tuberculosis should be reviewed at least twice by a chest physician.

Perception and social consequences of tuberculosis: a focus group study of tuberculosis patients in Sialkot, Pakistan

Treatment defaulting is one of the major causes of the failure of TB control programs. In Bethania Hospital, Sialkot, defaulting rates are high: 72% for the standard 12 months course and 56% for the 8 months course. Attrition is especially important in the first weeks of treatment: < 70% of the patients start the 10th week of treatment. A focus group discussion study has been carried out to gain a better understanding of the impact of social stigmatization, treatment cost and pregnancy on defaulting. The study population consisted of 3 male and 3 female groups each with 8 hospitalized TB patients. The study shows that TB is perceived as a very dangerous, infectious and incurable disease. This perception has many social consequences: stigmatization and social isolation of TB patients and their families: diminished marriage prospects for young TB patients, and even for their family members: TB in one of the partners may lead to divorce. Due to fear patients often deny the diagnosis and reject the treatment. While both male and female TB patients face many social and economical problems, female patients are more affected. Divorce and broken engagements seem to occur more often in female patients. Females are usually economically dependent on their husbands and family in law, and need their cooperation to avail of treatment. The belief that pregnancy enhances the risk for relapse decreases their marriage prospects. Pregnancy is also a reason for stopping TB treatment as both are considered as incompatible. The findings of this study reveal the urgent need for a health education campaign to convince the general population that tuberculosis is curable. All health care providers should act as destigmatizers.

Tuberculosis screening among homeless persons with AIDS living in single-room-occupancy hotels

Congregate facilities for homeless persons with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) are often endemic for tuberculosis. We evaluated tuberculosis screening methods at single-room-occupancy hotels housing persons with AIDS. Residents were screened by cross matching the New York City Tuberculosis Registry, interviewing for tuberculosis history, skin testing, and chest radiography. Cases were classified as either previously or newly diagnosed. Among the 106 participants, 16 (15%) previously diagnosed tuberculosis cases were identified. Participants' tuberculosis histories were identified by the questionnaire (100%) or by registry match (69%). Eight participants (50%) were noncompliant with therapy. These findings prompted the establishment of a directly observed therapy program on site.

New developments in tuberculosis and HIV infection: an opportunity for prevention

As we approach 2010, the year by which we were to have eliminated TB, we find this ancient disease is making a comeback. This comeback is due to many factors, but the role of HIV infection is clearly important. HIV infection can result in changes in the pathogenesis and presentation of infection with the tubercle bacillus. Consequently, as health care providers, we must respond with changes in our usual methods of prevention, treatment, and infection control. Whereas the increase in TB is currently limited to certain geographic areas, it is likely to spread more widely. All health care providers should be aware of the changing face of TB and have a high clinical index of suspicion for this disease.

The effect of directly observed therapy on the rates of drug resistance and relapse in tuberculosis

BACKGROUND

Tuberculosis has reemerged as an important public health problem, and the frequency of drug resistance is increasing. A major reason for the development of resistant infections and relapse is poor compliance with medical regimens. In Tarrant County, Texas, we initiated a program of universal directly observed treatment for tuberculosis. We report the effect of the program on the rates of primary and acquired drug resistance and relapse among patients with tuberculosis.

METHODS

We collected information on all patients with positive cultures for Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Tarrant County from January 1, 1980, through December 31, 1992. Through October 1986, patients received a traditional, unsupervised drug regimen. Beginning in November 1986, nearly all patients received therapy under direct observation by health care personnel.

RESULTS

A total of 407 episodes in which patients received traditional treatment for tuberculosis (January 1980 through October 1986) were compared with 581 episodes in which therapy was directly observed (November 1986 through December 1992). Despite higher rates of intravenous drug use and homelessness and an increasing rate of tuberculosis during this 13-year period, the frequency of primary drug resistance decreased from 13.0 percent to 6.7 percent (P < 0.001) after the institution of direct observation of therapy, and the frequency of acquired resistance declined from 14.0 percent to 2.1 percent (P < 0.001). The relapse rate decreased from 20.9 percent to 5.5 percent (P < 0.001), and the number of relapses with multidrug-resistant organisms decreased from 25 to 5 (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The administration of therapy for M. tuberculosis infection under direct observation leads to significant reductions in the frequency of primary drug resistance, acquired drug resistance, and relapse.

MDR-TB. Another challenge from the microbial world

Beginning in 1985, the long decline in TB cases was dramatically reversed; from 1985 through 1992 reported cases increased 20.1 percent nationally. Two characteristics of this resurgent epidemic are unique: its prevalence among immunocompromised HIV-infected people and the emergence of multidrug-resistant TB. Current epidemiological trends, demographics and treatment approaches are discussed, as well as the implications MDR-TB holds for dentistry.

Controlling resurgent tuberculosis: public health agencies, public policy, and law

The reappearance of tuberculosis as a serious public health threat points up the fallacy of the widely held assumption that medical science had conquered the communicable diseases that were once leading causes of morbidity and mortality. In devising a strategy to prevent the spread of TB, public policymakers must adapt traditional TB control measures to reflect the current problem. Such a strategy can and should include the appropriate use of governmental coercion to compel observance of public health TB control measures. Public health approaches to control of human immunodeficiency virus, with their emphasis on the voluntary cooperation of those infected and at high risk for infection, are not a model for effective TB control. Additional resources, while needed, will not alone enable public health agencies to bring TB and other communicable diseases under control. In the present debate over health care reform, little attention has been paid to the importance of public health agencies in protecting the public health. The resurgence of TB is a warning of the consequences of neglecting public health agencies and ignoring the socioeconomic problems that underlie it and other communicable diseases.

When tuberculosis treatment fails. A social behavioral account of patient adherence

Several conclusions about measuring adherence can be drawn. Probably the best approach is to use multiple measures, including some combination of urine assays, pill counts, and detailed patient interviews. Careful monitoring of patient behavior early in the regimen will help predict whether adherence is likely to be a problem. Microelectronic devices in pill boxes or bottle caps have been used for measuring adherence among patients with tuberculosis, but their effectiveness has not been established. The use of these devices may be particularly troublesome for some groups such as the elderly, or precluded for those whose life styles might interfere with their use such as the homeless or migrant farm workers. Carefully designed patient interviews should be tested to determine whether they can be used to predict adherence. Probably the best predictor of adherence is the patient's previous history of adherence. However, adherence is not a personality trait, but a task-specific behavior. For example, someone who misses many doses of antituberculosis medication may successfully use prescribed eye drops or follow dietary recommendations. Providers need to monitor adherence to antituberculosis medications early in treatment in order to anticipate future problems and to ask patients about specific adherence tasks. Ongoing monitoring is essential for patients taking medicine for active tuberculosis. These patients typically feel well after a few weeks and either may believe that the drugs are no longer necessary or may forget to take medication because there are no longer physical cues of illness. Demographic factors, though easy to measure, do not predict adherence well. Tending to be surrogates for other causal factors, they are not amenable to interventions for behavior change. Placing emphasis on demographic characteristics may lead to discriminatory practices. Patients with social support networks have been more adherent in some studies, and patients who believe in the seriousness of their problems with tuberculosis are more likely to be adherent. Additional research on adherence predictors is needed, but it should reflect the complexity of the problem. This research requires a theory-based approach, which has been essentially missing from studies on adherence and tuberculosis. Research also needs to target predictors for specific groups of patients. There is clear evidence of the effect on adherence of culturally influenced beliefs and attitudes about tuberculosis and its treatment. Cultural factors are associated with misinformation about the medical aspects of the disease and the stigmatization of persons with tuberculosis. Culturally sensitive, targeted information is needed, and some has been developed by local tuberculosis programs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

The economic impact of tuberculosis in hospitals in New York City: a preliminary analysis

There is a nationwide resurgence of tuberculosis (TB) in the country’s urban centers; New York City stands at the forefront of this resurgence. The root causes are increased homelessness, drug addiction and poverty, all symbols of deteriorating social and economic conditions in the city. The inadequate level of public health resources devoted to TB has also contributed to its spread. Still, even with these factors, it is questionable whether the escalating number of TB cases in this country would have occurred without the reservoir of immunosuppressed persons, who are less resistant to the disease, created by the AIDS epidemic. The fear and urgency of this public health crisis, which has been emerging since the beginning of the last decade, are fueled by the rise of TB strains resistant to the first-line drugs and by the disease’s contagiousness.

The spectrum of tuberculosis in a New York City men's shelter clinic (1982-1988)

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of tuberculous infection and the incidence of active tuberculosis in homeless men attending a shelter-based clinic and to examine risk factors for acquisition of infection and development of active disease. The design was a prospective cross-sectional survey. Men were evaluated by standardized interviews using a questionnaire. Where indicated, skin testing with PPD, collection of sputum for smear and culture for acid-fast bacilli, and chest x-ray films were performed. The setting was an on-site clinic at a men's shelter in New York City. The patients were men attending the clinic for physical examinations for the work program or requesting evaluation of various medical problems. A total of 1,853 men were evaluated over a 73-month period. The overall rate of infection was 42.8 percent, including 27.0 percent with a positive PPD test, 9.8 percent with a history of a positive PPD test, and 6.0 percent with active tuberculosis. Increasing age, length of stay in the shelter system, black race, and intravenous drug use were found to be independently associated with tuberculous infection. Age, length of stay in the shelter system, and intravenous drug use were independently associated with active tuberculosis. We achieved a compliance rate of 36 percent completing treatment and 13 percent receiving treatment at the conclusion of the study.

The tuberculosis clinic

Patient compliance is the major obstacle to successful treatment of tuberculosis. To counter factors of inconstant attention to compliance, inconsistent follow-up, and incomplete documentation, a tuberculosis clinic, managed by nurse specialists, was established. To evaluate this clinic, records of all patients with tuberculosis followed-up there were compared with patients with tuberculosis observed in the other clinics over a nine-year period. Twelve percent of patients in the general clinics group had complete, documented, effective treatment compared with 86 percent in the tuberculosis clinic group. Only 31 percent of the general clinics patients compared with 100 percent of the tuberculosis clinic patients had completely documented follow-up. In hospitals in endemic areas for tuberculosis, a tuberculosis clinic may be superior to general clinics for the care of patients with tuberculosis. Staff of a specialized clinic can quickly identify a break in therapy, provide support necessary for better compliance, lessen the number of incomplete records, and decrease the number of patients who do not receive full therapy.