ABSTRACT
Background: Treatment outcome is key indicator to assess the effectiveness of TB control program
Objective: To determine the treatment outcome in tuberculosis patients registered at Department of Pulmonology, Sheikh Zayed Medical College / Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan
Patients and Methods: All the patients registered at DOTS clinic, Department of Pulmonology, Sheikh Zayed Medical College / Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan from 1[st] January, 2008 to 31[st] December 2009, were followed up till completion of their prescribed regimen to determine the WHO endorsed treatment outcome. Patients were classified according to site of disease [pulmonary vs extra pulmonary], history of previous treatment and sputum smear status
Results: Of the 1607 registered TB patients, majority of the patients [83.9%] were newly diagnosed, young [median age: 30 years] and have pulmonary TB [74.9%]. Overall treatment success rate was 77%. New cases fared better [80.6%] than previously treated patients [53.7%]. Among previously treated group, treatment outcome was as follows; relapse [62.7%], treatment after default [52.7%] and treatment failure [33.3%]. Extra pulmonary tuberculosis cases fare better than pulmonary case with success rate of 87.7% and 72.5%, death rate 11% and 3.2%, failure rate 1.9% and 0.2% and default rate of 6.9% and 10.6% respectively
Conclusion: Considering the WHO standard of 85% treatment success rates, only the newly diagnosed patients were close to achieve the target. Previous exposure to anti tuberculosis treatment especially inadequate one was closely associated with poor outcome. Efforts should be made to ensure proper management of all TB cases