Changes in body weight and tuberculosis treatment outcome in Viet Nam

Impacts of body weight change on treatment outcomes in patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in Northwest Ethiopia

Measuring body weight during therapy has received insufficient attention in poor resource settings like Ethiopia. We aimed to investigate the association between weight change during therapy and treatment outcomes among patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in northwest Ethiopia. This retrospective cohort study analysed data from patients with MDR-TB admitted between May 2015 to February 2022 at four treatment facilities in Northwest Ethiopia. We used the joint model (JM) to determine the association between weight change during therapy and treatment outcomes for patients with MDR-TB. A total of 419 patients with MDR-TB were included in the analysis. Of these, 265 (63.3%) were male, and 255 (60.9%) were undernourished. Weight increase over time was associated with a decrease in unsuccessful treatment outcomes (adjusted hazard ratio (AHR): 0.96, 95% CI: 0.94 to 0.98). In addition, patients with undernutrition (AHR: 1.72, 95% CI: 1.10 to 2.97), HIV (AHR:1.79, 95% CI: 1.04 to 3.06), and clinical complications such as pneumothorax (AHR: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.03 to 2.67) were associated with unsuccessful treatment outcomes. The JM showed a significant inverse association between weight gain and unsuccessful MDR-TB treatment outcomes. Therefore, weight gain may be used as a surrogate marker for good TB treatment response in Ethiopia.

Predictors of weight loss during the intensive phase of tuberculosis treatment in patients with drug-susceptible pulmonary tuberculosis in South India

BACKGROUND

Tuberculosis (TB) is well-known for causing wasting. Patients on treatment gain weight and weight loss is associated with unfavorable treatment outcomes. There is limited description of weight loss and its predictors during intensive treatment phase. The objective of this study was to assess the predictors of weight loss during intensive phase and to see if there is any association exists with sputum conversion at the end of intensive phase of treatment.

METHODS

Data collected as a part of the prospective TB cohort (Regional Prospective Observational Research for TB India Phase 1) conducted in Pondicherry, Cuddalore and Viluppuram districts of Tamil Nadu were used for this study. Sputum smear and body weight comparison were made in the baseline and at the end of second month of treatment.

RESULTS

In all, 726 participants had weight measurements at the two time points and 18.7% had weight loss; mean weight lost being 2.3 kg (SD 3.05). Mean weight loss was more among males (2.4 kg, SD 3.2), diabetics (2.8 kg, SD 3.9) and alcoholics (2.1 kg, SD 2.4). Alcohol consumption was the only predictor of weight loss after adjusting for age, diabetes, marital status and BMI (aRR 1.52, P 0.02). Weight loss was not associated with sputum conversion at the end of second month.

CONCLUSIONS

Alcohol use emerged as the major predictor for weight loss during intensive phase.

Nutritional status and TB treatment outcomes in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: An ambi-directional cohort study

BACKGROUND

Remaining underweight during Tuberculosis (TB) treatment is associated with a higher risk of unsuccessful TB treatment outcomes and relapse. Previous studies conducted in Ethiopia found that bodyweight not adjusted for height at the start of treatment is associated with poor treatment outcomes. However, the association of body mass index (BMI) and weight change during treatment with treatment outcomes has not been studied. We aimed to investigate the association of BMI at the time of diagnosis and after two months of treatment and TB treatment outcomes.

METHODS

Using an ambi-directional cohort study design (retrospective and prospective), a total of 456 participants were enrolled among 30 randomly selected public health centers residing within six sub-cities of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Data were collected using medical chart abstraction and face to face interviews. We compared TB treatment outcomes in persons with a body mass index (BMI) <18.5kg/m2 (underweight) versus persons with BMI ≥18.5kg/m2 (normal or overweight) at treatment initiation and after two months of treatment. Treatment was classified as successful in persons who were free of symptoms and had a negative sputum smear for acid-fast bacilli at the end of the 6-month treatment course. We analysed outcomes using univariable and multivariable logistic regression with 95% CI and p value< 0.05.

RESULTS

Of enrolled study participants, 184 (40.4%) were underweight and 272 (59.6%) were normal or overweight. Body mass index (BMI ≥18.5kg/m2) at the start and second month of treatment were independent predictors for successful treatment outcome (AOR = 2.15; 95% CI: 1.05, 4.39) and (AOR = 3.55; 95% CI: 1.29, 9.73), respectively. The probability of treatment success among patients with BMI≥18.5kg/m2 at the start and second month of treatment was 92.9% and 97.1%, respectively versus 86.5% and 91.7% in patients with BMI<18.5kg/m2. Bodyweight not adjusted for height and change in the bodyweight after the second and sixth months of treatment were not significantly associated with treatment success.

CONCLUSION

In persons treated for TB disease, being underweight at baseline and after two months of treatment was a predictor for unsuccessful treatment outcomes. Nutritional assessment, counselling, and management are important components of TB treatment programs with the potential to improve treatment outcomes.

Lack of Weight Gain During the First 2 Months of Treatment and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Independently Predict Unsuccessful Treatment Outcomes in Tuberculosis

BACKGROUND

Weight change may inform tuberculosis treatment response, but its predictive power may be confounded by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

METHODS

We prospectively followed up adults with culture-confirmed, drug-susceptible, pulmonary tuberculosis receiving standard 4-drug therapy (isoniazid, rifampin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol) in Brazil. We examined median weight change 2 months after treatment initiation by HIV status, using quantile regression, and unsuccessful tuberculosis treatment outcome (treatment failure, tuberculosis recurrence, or death) by HIV and weight change status, using Cox regression.

RESULTS

Among 547 participants, 102 (19%) were HIV positive, and 35 (6%) had an unsuccessful outcome. After adjustment for confounders, persons living with HIV (PLWH) gained a median of 1.3 kg (95% confidence interval [CI], -2.8 to .1) less than HIV-negative individuals during the first 2 months of tuberculosis treatment. PLWH were at increased risk of an unsuccessful outcome (adjusted hazard ratio, 4.8; 95% CI, 2.1-10.9). Weight change was independently associated with outcome, with risk of unsuccessful outcome decreasing by 12% (95% CI, .81%-.95%) per 1-kg increase.

CONCLUSIONS

PLWH gained less weight during the first 2 months of tuberculosis treatment, and lack of weight gain and HIV independently predicted unsuccessful tuberculosis treatment outcomes. Weight, an easily collected biomarker, may identify patients who would benefit from alternative treatment strategies.

Changes in Nutritional Status in Pulmonary Tuberculosis: Longitudinal Changes in BMI According to Acid-Fast Bacilli Smear Positivity

Malnutrition is closely associated with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). However, changes before and after treatment remain unclear. We aimed to investigate the longitudinal changes in nutritional status from treatment to follow-up of TB in 215 PTB cases in South Korea. First, we evaluated the trend in body mass index (BMI) from the time of diagnosis to a 2-year follow-up. Second, we compared the BMIs of our cases with 5694 controls who participated in a Korean national survey after treatment. During the treatment period, the BMI of the smear-positive group (n = 72) significantly increased compared with that of the smear-negative group (n = 143) (+1.9 kg/m² vs. +0.4 kg/m², p = 0.001). Almost all the changes occurred in the early phase, with unremarkable differences in the rest of the treatment period and up to the 2-year follow-up period. When compared with controls, the smear-positive PTB group also had a lower BMI than the smear-negative PTB group, which, however, was lower than that of the general population, though all the participants regained their BMIs during treatment. These results clarify the nutritional aspects of PTB and enable better strategies to support patients with PTB.

Using Changes in Weight-for-Age z Score to Predict Effectiveness of Childhood Tuberculosis Therapy

BACKGROUND

International guidelines recommend monitoring weight as an indicator of therapeutic response in childhood tuberculosis (TB) disease. This recommendation is based on observations in adults. In the current study, we evaluated the association between weight change and treatment outcome, the accuracy of using weight change to predict regimen efficacy, and whether successfully treated children achieve catch-up weight gain.

METHODS

We enrolled children treated for drug-susceptible TB disease (group 1) and multidrug-resistant TB disease (group 2) in Peru. We calculated the change in weight-for-age z score (ΔWAZ) between baseline and the end of treatment months 2-5 for group 1, and between baseline and months 2-8 for group 2. We used logistic regression and generalized estimating equation models to evaluate the relationship between ΔWAZ and outcome. We plotted receiver operating characteristic curves to determine the accuracy of ΔWAZ for predicting treatment failure or death.

RESULTS

Groups 1 and 2 included 100 and 94 children, respectively. In logistic regression, lower ΔWAZ in months 3-5 and month 7 was associated with treatment failure or death in groups 1 and 2, respectively. In generalized estimating equation models, children in both groups who experienced treatment failure or death had lower ΔWAZ than successfully treated children. The ΔWAZ predicted treatment failure or death with 60%-90% sensitivity and 60%-86% specificity in months 2-5 for group 1 and months 7-8 for group 2. All successfully treated children-except group 2 participants with unknown microbiologic confirmation status-achieved catch-up weight gain.

CONCLUSIONS

Weight change early in therapy can predict the outcome of childhood TB treatment.

Time to poor treatment outcome and its predictors among drug-resistant tuberculosis patients on second-line anti-tuberculosis treatment in Amhara region, Ethiopia: retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Treatment of drug-resistant tuberculosis is often more complex and toxic with longer treatment time and poor treatment outcomes including treatment failure or death. Monitoring drug-resistant tuberculosis therapy including early identification of prognostic factors and close monitoring of body weight in resource-limited settings is crucial to ensure successful treatment. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess time to poor treatment outcome which is defined as the proportion of all patients who died or failed treatment and its predictors among drug-resistant tuberculosis patients on second-line anti-tuberculosis treatment in Amhara region, Ethiopia.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted on all patients who started drug-resistant tuberculosis therapy from September 1, 2010 through December 31, 2017, at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Boru-Meda Hospital, and Debre-Markos Referral Hospital in Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Data were entered using Epi-data Version 3.1 and analyzed using R version 3.41 software. The survival time was estimated using Kaplan-Meier survival curve and the survival time between different categorical variables were compared using the log rank test. Event time ratio with 95% confidence interval (CI) and p-value less than 0.05 were used to measure the strength of association and to declare statistically significant predictors respectively.

RESULTS

A total of 508 patients with a median age of 28.5 [IQR: 22-40] years were included in this study. The overall cumulative survival probability of patients at the end of 24 months was 79% [95% CI,75,84%]. Rate of body weight change [Adjusted time ratio (ATR) = 5; 95% CI: 3.2, 7.7], secondary and above level of education [ATR = 2.3;95% CI:1.2,2.9], being non-anemic [ATR = 2.8,95% CI:1.2,3.8], being non-diabetic [ATR = 3.4;95% CI:1.3,8.8], without clinical complications [ATR = 7.6;95% CI:4.2,13.9], HIV negative [ATR = 1. 94:95% CI:1.35,2.35] and residing in rural [ATR = 0.51,95% CI:0.30,0.86] were predictors of time to poor treatment outcomes.

CONCLUSION

The survival rate of tuberculosis patients was higher at end of follow up relative to other studies. However, poor treatment outcome was higher in early phase of therapy. Educational level, rural residence, HIV/AIDS, diabetes mellitus, previous treatment, clinical complication, rate of body weight change and smoking history were significant predictors of time to poor treatment outcome. Therefore, intervention programs should focus on the identified factors to improve survival time of drug-resistant tuberculosis patients.

Evaluation of treatment response in extrapulmonary tuberculosis in a low-resource setting

Background

Diagnosing extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) is challenging and many patients are initiated on empirical anti-TB treatment without a laboratory confirmed diagnosis. Monitoring treatment response is thus important to ensure correct diagnosis and proper disease management. The definition of satisfactory response to treatment in EPTB remains unclear. The objectives of this study were to describe the clinical presentation of EPTB and the effect of treatment on clinical parameters. Further, to assess if simple clinical parameters, without laboratory data, could evaluate treatment response.

Methods

Prospective cohort study of presumptive EPTB patients at Mnazi Mmoja Hospital, Zanzibar. By using a composite reference standard, patients were categorized as TB or non-TB cases. The TB patients were followed during anti-TB treatment.

Results

There were 64 TB and 62 non-TB cases. The frequency of symptoms at baseline were comparable in TB and non-TB patients, with lymphadenitis and pleuritis as the most common manifestations. Among TB cases, there was a trend towards regression of lymphadenopathy after 2 months, and at treatment completion 24/28 (86%) cases showed full regression. Weight gain ≥5% was reported in 36/49 (73%) of the TB patients at 2 months and in 38/46 (83%) at treatment completion. After 2 months of treatment, a combination of clinical parameters; improvement of symptoms (50/50), ≥5% weight gain (36/49) and regression of physical signs (45/49) correlated with the treatment response.

Conclusions

An algorithm including only simple clinical parameters could be used as an easy tool to assess treatment responses in low-resource settings. However, this needs to be tested on a larger sample size.

Longitudinal body weight and sputum conversion in patients with tuberculosis, Southwest Ethiopia: a retrospective follow-up study

OBJECTIVES

To describe the association between change in body weight and sputum smear conversion and to identify factors linked with body weight and sputum smear conversion in Jimma University Specialized Hospital, Southwest Ethiopia.

DESIGN

A retrospective follow-up study.

SETTING

Teaching hospital in Southwest Ethiopia.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 450 patients with tuberculosis (TB) were included in the follow-up between 2011 and 2013.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The association between body weight and sputum conversion was measured using joint modelling.

RESULTS

The association between change in body weight and change in sputum conversion was -0.698 (p<0.001). A strong inverse association between change in body weight and change in sputum conversion was observed. The study variables sex, age, type of TB, HIV status, dose of anti-TB drug and length of enrolment to TB treatment were significantly associated with change in body weight of patients with TB. The study variables age, type of TB, dose of anti-TB drug and length of enrolment were significantly associated with change in sputum status of patients with TB.

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients with TB who were on anti-TB treatment, increase in body weight and positive sputum status were inversely related over time. TB prevention and control strategies should give emphasis on factors such as female sex, older age, non-pulmonary positive type of TB, HIV-positive, lower dose of anti-TB drug and length of enrolment to TB treatment during monitoring of trends in body weight and sputum status.

Factors associated with tuberculosis treatment failure in the Central East Health region of Burkina Faso

Introduction

Tuberculosis treatment failure results in increased risk of morbidity, drug resistance, transmission and mortality. There are few data about tuberculosis treatment outcomes in Burkina Faso. The current study investigated the factors associated with tuberculosis treatment failure in the central east health region of Burkina Faso.

Methods

We conducted a case-control study. All cases of pulmonary tuberculosis failing first-line treatment matched to those who were cured (controls) in the Central Eastern Region were sampled from January 2010 to December 2014. Predictors of treatment failure were determined using multiple conditional logistic regression.

Results

A total of 381 patients with positive microscopic pulmonary tuberculosis were included. Of these 76 cases failed first-line treatment while 305 controls were cured. Weight loss between diagnosis and first sputum-smear examination was significantly associated with the tuberculosis treatment failure [aOR: 2.5, 95% CI: 1.3-4.7]. In addition, the delay from between treatment initiation to first sputum-smear examination, and high bacillary load at the first sputum-smear examination were significantly associated with treatment failure (p<0.001).

Conclusion

Strengthening the relationship between health care services and local communities to improve the follow-up of tuberculosis patients, and improving adherence to tuberculosis treatment among tuberculosis patients with weight loss between treatment initiation and 2-month sputum-smear examination could be useful to reduce the risk of unsuccessful outcome.

BIOIMPEDANCE MARKERS AND TUBERCULOSIS OUTCOME AMONG HIV-INFECTED PATIENTS

Background

The changes in body composition markers (weight, fat mass, lean mass, and BMI) over time can be associated with TB treatment outcome among HIV-infected patients. The aim of this study was to investigate whether changes in fat mass and lean mass were associated with the treatment response among patients with HIV infection and pulmonary tuberculosis.

Materials and Methods

This was a prospective cohort study. Data from HIV-infected patients commencing TB therapy were analyzed. This included body weight measurement using bioimpedance equipment at baseline, one month, and two months after starting TB treatment.

Results

The study was conducted in 125 patients, 17 patients (13.6%) died during treatment, of which 5 died during the first month of treatment, 4 during the second month and 8 after the second month. The group of patients with good response, increased their weight by 1.3 kg (p <0.001) at the end of the first month of TB treatment and 2.6 kg in the second month (p <0.001), and body fat increase was 1.2 Kg (p <0.001) and 2.3 kg (p <0.001), the first and second month respectively. The group of patients who died had lost 2.1 kg fat mass after the first month (p <0.001) and 3.7 kg in the second month (p <0.001).

Conclusions

Our results show that the weight change during TB treatment (increased fat mass) helps us predict therapeutic response. Weight loss during the first month of starting therapy should be evaluated thoroughly to identify the probable cause of treatment failure.

Delays to treatment initiation is associated with tuberculosis treatment outcomes among patients on directly observed treatment short course in Southwest Ethiopia: a follow-up study

Background

Despite reported long delays to initiate anti-TB treatment and poor outcomes in different parts of Ethiopia and elsewhere, evidences on association between the delay and treatment outcomes are scanty.

Methods

A follow up study among 735 new TB cases registered at health facilities in districts of southwest Ethiopia was conducted from January 2015 to June 2016. Patients reported days elapsed between onset of illness and treatment commencement of 30 days cutoff was considered to ascertain exposure. Thus, those elapsed beyond 30 days to initiate anti-TB treatment since onset of illness were exposed and otherwise non-exposed. The cases were followed until earliest outcome was observed. Treatment outcomes was ascertained as per the World Health Organization standard definitions and dichotomized into ‘successful’ when cured or treatment completed and ‘unsuccessful’ when lost to follow-up or died or treatment failure. Bivariate and multiple log-binomial models were fitted to identify predictors of unsuccessful outcomes.

Results

The overall treatment success among the treatment cohort was 89.7% (88.4% vs. 94.2%, p = 0.01 respectively among those initiated treatment beyond and within of 30 days of onset of illness. Higher risk of unsuccessful outcome was predicted by treatment initiation beyond 30 days of onset [Adjusted Relative Risk (ARR) = 1.92, 95%CI:1.30, 2.81], HIV co-infection (ARR = 2.18, 95%CI:1.47, 3.25) and received treatment at hospital (ARR = 3.73, 95%CI:2.23, 6.25). On the other hand, lower risk of unsuccessful outcome was predicted by weight gain (ARR = 0.40, 95%CI:0.19, 0.83) and sputum smear negative conversion (ARR = 0.17,95% CI:0.09, 0.33) at the end of second month treatment.

Conclusion

Higher risk of unsuccessful outcome is associated with prolonged days elapsed between onset of illness and treatment commencement. Hence, promotion of early care seeking, improving diagnostic and case holding efficiencies of health facilities and TB/HIV collaborative interventions can reduce risk of unsuccessful outcome.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12890-018-0628-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Evaluating treatment outcomes and durations among cases of smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis in Yemen: a prospective follow-up study

BACKGROUND

Evaluating outcomes after tuberculosis (TB) treatment can help identify the primary reasons for treatment success or failure. However, Yemen has a treatment success rate that remains below the World Health Organization's target. This study aimed to identify factors that were associated with unsuccessful treatment and prolonged treatment (>1 year).

METHOD

Newly diagnosed cases of smear-positive pulmonary TB were prospectively followed at two centers (Taiz and Alhodidah, Yemen) between April 2014 and March 2015. Standardized forms were used to obtain information from the patients regarding their socio-demographic and clinical characteristics, treatment duration, and TB-related information. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors that were associated with unsuccessful treatment and prolonged treatment (>1 year).

RESULTS

The study included data from 273 cases of newly diagnosed TB, with treatment being successful in 227 cases (83.1%) and unsuccessful in 46 cases (16.9%). Among the 46 patients with unsuccessful treatment, 29 patients (10.6%) stopped treatment, 6 patients (2.2%) transferred to another facility, 6 patients (2.2%) experienced treatment failure, and 5 patients (1.8%) died. The multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that unsuccessful treatment was associated with female sex, illiterate status, and the presence of comorbidities. Prolonged treatment durations were associated with living in a rural area, smoking, chewing khat, a cough that lasted for >3 weeks at the beginning of treatment, and bilateral cavities during radiography.

CONCLUSION

These results confirm that the treatment success rate in Yemen is lower than the World Health Organization's target for smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis. Targeting the risk factors that we identified may help improve treatment outcomes. Furthermore, it may not be prudent to re-treat patients using first-line TB drugs after an initial treatment failure.

Predictors and patterns of weight gain during treatment for tuberculosis in the United States of America

OBJECTIVES

Patients with tuberculosis (TB) often present with weight loss. Lack of weight gain with TB treatment has been associated with treatment failure. The purpose of this study was to examine patterns of weight gain in patients with TB and determine the disease characteristics that predict weight gain.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study of adults with TB treated in a county health system in the USA. Demographic, clinical, radiographic, and microbiological data were recorded in addition to monthly weights during treatment.

RESULTS

Overall, patients had a significant change in weight over the course of treatment (p<0.0001). After 2 months of treatment, 31.9% of patients had gained at least 5% body weight; by the end of treatment, 62.4% of patients had gained at least 5% weight. Patients who gained weight did so in a linear fashion throughout treatment. Cavitary and extensive disease, a positive smear, and a positive culture were predictors of weight gain (p<0.05). No patients had relapses during the time period of the study.

CONCLUSIONS

Only a subset of patients treated for TB gain significant weight. A greater burden of disease was predictive of weight gain.

Tuberculosis treatment outcomes of six and eight month treatment regimens in districts of Southwestern Ethiopia: a comparative cross-sectional study

Background

A switch of continuation phase tuberculosis (TB) treatment regimen from Ethambutol (E) and Isoniazid (H) combination for 6 months (6EH) to Rifampicin (R) and Isoniazid (H) combination for 4 months (4RH) was recommended. However, the effect of the regimen switch in Ethiopian setting is not known.

Methods

A comparative cross-sectional study among 790 randomly selected new cases of TB (395 each treated with 4RH and 6EH during the continuation phase) was conducted in nine health centers and one hospital in three zones in southwestern Ethiopia. Data were abstracted from the standard unit TB register composed of standard case and treatment outcome definitions. Data were analyzed using STATA version 13 where binary logistic regression was fitted to identify independent predictors of unsuccessful treatment outcomes at 5 % significance level.

Results

Over all, 695 (88 %) of the patients had a successful treatment outcome with statistically significant difference (85.3 % vs 90.6 %, p = 0.02) among the 6HE and 4RH regimens, respectively. After adjusting for confounders, 4RH continuation phase treatment regimen adjusted odds ratio (AOR) [(95 % confidence interval (CI)) 0.55 (0.34,0.89)], age [AOR (95 % CI 1.02 (1.001,1.022)], rural residence [AOR (95 % CI) 2.1 (1.18,3.75)] Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positives [AOR (95 % CI) 2.39 (1.12,5.07)] and increased weight at the end of the second month [AOR (95 % CI 0.28 (0.11,0.72)] independently predicted treatment outcome.

Conclusion

The switch of continuation phase TB treatment regimen from 6EH to 4RH has brought better treatment outcomes which imply applicability of the recommendation in high prevalent and resource constrained settings. Therefore, it should be maintained and augmented through further studies on its impact among the older, rural residents and HIV positives.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12879-016-1917-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The Influence of Mining and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection Among Patients Admitted for Retreatment of Tuberculosis in Northern Tanzania

In tuberculosis (TB)-prevalent settings, patients admitted for retreatment of TB may account for a high burden of poor treatment outcome. We performed a retrospective cohort study to characterize retreatment patients and outcomes at a TB referral hospital in northern Tanzania. From 2009 to 2013, 185 patients began a retreatment regimen, the majority for relapse after prior treatment completion. Men accounted for an unexpected majority (88%), 36 (20%) were human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected and for 45 (24%) mining was their primary occupation. A poor outcome (death, default, or persistent smear positivity after 7 months of treatment) was found in 37 (23%). HIV infection was the only significant predictor of poor outcome (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.50, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.07-5.83, P = 0.034). Interventions to minimize need for retreatment or improve retreatment success may be regionally specific. In our setting, community-based diagnosis and management among at-risk subpopulations such as miners and those HIV infected appear of highest yield.

Improvement in plasma drug activity during the early treatment interval among Tanzanian patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis

BACKGROUND

Individual pharmacokinetic variability may be common in patients treated for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) but data are sparse from resource-limited settings and across the early treatment interval.

METHODS

Plasma drug activity, as measured by the TB Drug Activity (TDA) assay at 2 and 4 weeks of treatment with a standardized MDR-TB regimen was performed in patients with pulmonary MDR-TB from Tanzania. TDA values were correlated with measures of early treatment outcome including every two week collection of sputum for time-to-positivity (TTP) in liquid culture from the MGIT 960 automated system. Patients were evaluated at 24 weeks and those surviving without delayed sputum culture conversion (>8 weeks), culture reversion after previously negative, or weight loss were defined as having a favorable outcome.

RESULTS

Twenty-five patients were enrolled with a mean age of 37 ±12 years. All were culture positive from the pretreatment sputum sample with a mean TTP in MGIT of 257 ±134 hours, and the median time to culture conversion on treatment was 6 weeks. Twenty patients (80%) had an increase in TDA, with the overall mean TDA at 2 weeks of 2.1 ±0.7 compared to 2.4 ±0.8 at 4 weeks (p = 0.005). At 2 weeks 13 subjects (52%) had a TDA value > 2-log killing against their own M. tuberculosis isolate compared to 17 subjects (68%) at 4 weeks (McNemar's exact test p = 0.29). An interim treatment outcome was able to be determined in 23 patients (92%), of whom 7 had a poor outcome (30%). An increase in TDA from week 2 to week 4 was associated with favorable outcome, [unadjusted OR = 20.0, 95% CI: 1.61-247.98, exact p = 0.017 and adjusted OR = 19.33, 95% CI: 1.55-241.5, exact p = 0.023].

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of patients with MDR-TB in Tanzania had an increase in plasma drug activity from week 2 to week 4 of treatment as measured by the TDA assay. Understanding the etiology and full impact of this dynamic may inform therapeutic intervention.

Pharmacokinetics of rifampin and isoniazid in tuberculosis-HIV-coinfected patients receiving nevirapine- or efavirenz-based antiretroviral treatment

This is a substudy of the Agence Nationale de Recherches sur le Sida et les Hépatites Virales (ANRS) Comparison of Nevirapine and Efavirenz for the Treatment of HIV-TB Co-infected Patients (ANRS 12146-CARINEMO) trial, which assessed the pharmacokinetics of rifampin or isoniazid with or without the coadministration of nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-based HIV antiretroviral therapy in HIV-tuberculosis-coinfected patients in Mozambique. Thirty-eight patients on antituberculosis therapy based on rifampin and isoniazid participated in the substudy (57.9% males; median age, 33 years; median weight, 51.9 kg; median CD4(+) T cell count, 104 cells/μl; median HIV-1 RNA load, 5.5 log copies/ml). The daily doses of rifampin and isoniazid were 10 and 5 mg/kg of body weight, respectively. Twenty-one patients received 200 mg of nevirapine twice a day (b.i.d.), and 17 patients received 600 mg of efavirenz once a day (q.d.) in combination with lamivudine and stavudine from day 1 until the end of the study. Blood samples were collected at regular time-dosing intervals after morning administration of a fixed-dose combination of rifampin and isoniazid. When rifampin was administered alone, the median maximum concentration of drug in serum (Cmax) and the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) at steady state were 6.59 mg/liter (range, 2.70 to 14.07 mg/liter) and 27.69 mg · h/liter (range, 11.41 to 109.75 mg · h/liter), respectively. Concentrations remained unchanged when rifampin was coadministered with nevirapine or efavirenz. When isoniazid was administered alone, the median isoniazid Cmax and AUC at steady state were 5.08 mg/liter (range, 1.26 to 11.51 mg/liter) and 20.92 mg · h/liter (range, 7.73 to 56.95 mg · h/liter), respectively. Concentrations remained unchanged when isoniazid was coadministered with nevirapine; however, a 29% decrease in the isoniazid AUC was observed when isoniazid was combined with efavirenz. The pharmacokinetic parameters of rifampin and isoniazid when coadministered with nevirapine or efavirenz were not altered to a clinically significant extent in these severely immunosuppressed HIV-infected patients. Patients experienced favorable clinical outcomes. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under registration no. NCT00495326.).

Structural equation modeling of latent growth curves of weight gain among treated tuberculosis patients

Tuberculosis still remains a major public health problem even though it is treatable and curable. Weight gain measurement during anti tuberculosis (TB) treatment period is an important component to assess the progress of TB patients. In this study, Latent Growth Models (LGMs) were implemented in a longitudinal design to predict the change in weight of TB patients who were given three different regimens under randomized controlled clinical trial for anti-TB treatment. Linear and Quadratic LGMs were fitted using Mplus software. The age, sex and treatment response of the TB patients were used as time invariant independent variables of the growth trajectories. The quadratic trend was found to be better in explaining the changes in weight without grouping than the quadratic model for three group comparisons. A significant increase in the change of weight over time was identified while a significant quadratic effect indicated that weights were sustained over time. The growth rate was similar in both the groups. The treatment response had significant association with the growth rate of weight scores of the patients.

Tuberculosis outcomes in Papua, Indonesia: the relationship with different body mass index characteristics between papuan and non-Papuan ethnic groups

Weight gain achieved during pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) treatment is associated with the likelihood of bacteriological treatment success. It is recognised that weight and body mass index (BMI) characteristics differ between ethnic groups in health and illness states. However there has been no prior investigation of how ethnic differences in BMI might influence tuberculosis treatment outcome. Our aim was to investigate predictors of microbiological response to PTB treatment at the Tuberculosis Clinic in Timika, Papua Province, Indonesia and specifically, to determine the contribution of ethnicity. The population comprises two distinct ethnic groups - Asian (Non-Papuan) and Melanesian (Papuan). We conducted a prospective study of adults with smear-positive PTB. Treatment outcomes were 1- and 2-month sputum culture and time to microscopy conversion. Clinical measures included weight, BMI, chest radiograph, pulmonary function including forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and haemoglobin. One hundred eighty six participants (83 Papuan, 103 non-Papuan Indonesians) were enrolled. At baseline, Papuans had higher mean weight and BMI than non-Papuans (50.0 kg versus 46.9 kg, p = 0.006 and 20.0 kg/m2 versus 18.7 kg/m2, p = 0.001 respectively). This was despite having lower mean haemoglobin (11.3 vs 13.1 g/dL, p<0.0001), higher smoking and HIV rates (37% vs 21%, p = 0.02 and 20% vs 5%, p = 0.01 respectively) and longer median illness duration (3 vs 2 months, p = 0.04), but similar radiological severity (proportion with cavities 55% vs 57%, p = 0.7), sputum smear grade (p = 0.3) and mean % predicted FEV1 (63% vs 64%, p = 0.7). By 2 months, Papuans had gained still more weight (mean 5.9 vs 4.2 kg, p = 0.02), and were more likely to have negative sputum culture (49/56 vs 45/67, p = 0.02), in univariable and multivariable analyses controlling for other likely determinants of culture conversion. In conclusion, Papuans had better early microbiological outcome from PTB treatment, which may relate to better preservation of weight and greater early weight gain.

Nutritional status of HIV-infected women with tuberculosis in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

SETTING

Tuberculosis (TB) treatment clinics in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

OBJECTIVE

To quantify anthropometrics and intake of en-ergy and protein among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive women with TB.

DESIGN

HIV-positive women with newly diagnosed TB were assessed on their anthropometric characteristics and dietary intake. Energy and protein intake were determined using Tanzania food composition tables and compared with standard recommendations. Patients were re-evaluated after 4-6 months of anti-tuberculosis treatment.

RESULTS

Among 43 women, the baseline median CD4 count was 209 cells/µl (range 8-721); 19 (44%) had a CD4 count of <200; 20 (47%) were on antiretroviral therapy. Body mass index was <18.5 kg/m(2) in 25 (58%); the median food insecurity score was 6. The median level of kcal/day was 1693 (range 1290-2633) compared to an estimated need of 2658; the median deficit was 875 kcal (range -65-1278). The median level of protein/day was 42 g (range 27-67) compared to 77 g estimated need; the median protein deficit was 35 g (range 10-50). The median weight gain among 29 patients after 4-6 months was 6 kg.

CONCLUSION

HIV-positive women with TB have substantial 24-h deficits in energy and protein intake, report significant food insecurity and gain minimal weight on anti-tuberculosis treatment. Enhanced dietary education together with daily supplementation of 1000 kcal with 40 g protein may be required.

Weight gain and response to treatment for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis

Alternatives to culture are needed in high burden countries to assess whether response to treatment of multidrug-resistant-tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is satisfactory. The objective was to assess the association of weight gain and treatment outcome. The methods included analysis of clinical, bacteriologic, and weight from 439 MDR-TB patients in the Philippines. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated to determine whether 5% weight gain during the first 6 months of treatment was associated with outcome. Three hundred and ten (71%) patients were cured and 129 (29%) had poor outcomes (death, defaulted, or failed treatment). Fifty-three percent were underweight (body mass index [BMI] < 18.5 kg/m(2)) before treatment. Five percent weight gain after completing 3 months of treatment was associated with good outcome among patients who were underweight before treatment (OR 2.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05 to 4.4). Baseline weight and degree of weight change during the first 6 months of treatment can help identify persons who are more likely to have poor outcomes and require other interventions.

L-arginine and vitamin D adjunctive therapies in pulmonary tuberculosis: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Vitamin D (vitD) and L-arginine have important antimycobacterial effects in humans. Adjunctive therapy with these agents has the potential to improve outcomes in active tuberculosis (TB).

METHODS

In a 4-arm randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled factorial trial in adults with smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in Timika, Indonesia, we tested the effect of oral adjunctive vitD 50,000 IU 4-weekly or matching placebo, and L-arginine 6.0 g daily or matching placebo, for 8 weeks, on proportions of participants with negative 4-week sputum culture, and on an 8-week clinical score (weight, FEV1, cough, sputum, haemoptysis). All participants with available endpoints were included in analyses according to the study arm to which they were originally assigned. Adults with new smear-positive PTB were eligible. The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00677339.

RESULTS

200 participants were enrolled, less than the intended sample size: 50 received L-arginine + active vitD, 49 received L-arginine + placebo vit D, 51 received placebo L-arginine + active vitD and 50 received placebo L-arginine + placebo vitD. According to the factorial model, 99 people received arginine, 101 placebo arginine, 101 vitamin D, 99 placebo vitamin D. Results for the primary endpoints were available in 155 (4-week culture) and 167 (clinical score) participants. Sputum culture conversion was achieved by week 4 in 48/76 (63%) participants in the active L-arginine versus 48/79 (61%) in placebo L-arginine arms (risk difference -3%, 95% CI -19 to 13%), and in 44/75 (59%) in the active vitD versus 52/80 (65%) in the placebo vitD arms (risk difference 7%, 95% CI -9 to 22%). The mean clinical outcome score also did not differ between study arms. There were no effects of the interventions on adverse event rates including hypercalcaemia, or other secondary outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Neither vitD nor L-arginine supplementation, at the doses administered and with the power attained, affected TB outcomes.

REGISTRY

ClinicalTrials.gov. Registry number: NCT00677339.