Effect of socio-economic status & proximity of patient residence to hospital on survival in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Background & objectives: Survival in paediatric acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in lower/middle income countries continues to lag behind outcomes seen in high-income countries. Socio-economic factors and distance of their residence from the hospital may contribute to this disparity. This study was aimed at identifying the impact of these factors on outcome in childhood ALL. Methods: In this retrospective study, file review of children with ALL was performed. Patients were treated with the modified United Kingdom (UK) ALL-2003 protocol. Details of socio-economic/demographic factors were noted from a web-based patients' database. Modified Kuppuswamy scale was used to classify socio-economic status. Results: A total of 308 patients with a median age of five years (range: 1-13 yr) were studied. Patients belonging to upper, middle and lower SE strata numbered 85 (28%), 68 (22%) and 155 (50%). Nearly one-third of the patients were underweight. There was no treatment abandonment among children whose mothers were graduates. Neutropenic deaths during maintenance therapy were lower in mothers who had passed high school. In patients who survived induction therapy, the five year event-free survival (EFS) of upper SE stratum was significantly better 78.7�9 vs. 59�2 and 58.1�6 per cent in middle and lower strata (P =0.026). Five year overall survival was higher in the higher SE group; being 91.2�5, 78.3�6 and 78.8�9 per cent (P =0.055) in the three strata. Survival was unaffected by a distance of residence from treating centre or rural/urban residence. High-risk and undernourished children had a greater hazard of mortality [1.80 (P =0.015); 1.98 (P =0.027)]. Interpretation & conclusions: Our findings showed that higher socio-economic status contributed to superior EFS in children with ALL who achieved remission. Undernutrition increased the risk of mortality.

Perfil del paciente con tuberculosis que abandona el tratamiento en Chile: profile of patients in Chile / Tuberculosis treatment default

Treatment default is one of the most important factors that reduce the efficiency of tuberculosis therapy and its causes are associated with factors related to patient, drugs and health system. In Chile, default rate has remained around 7%, despite the different strategies implemented for its prevention. This study corresponds to the analysis of audits performed in cases of default and seeks to define a profile of these patients and determine the main causes that influence this result. Methodology: Descriptive study of the information contained in the audits sent between 2009 and 2013. Results: 134 audits were analyzed. Activity compliance was 35.9% and an incomplete record was observed in most cases. Most patients were male, between 15 and 45 years old and 91% was their first episode of tuberculosis. 62.7% had some risk factor associated with default, especially alcohol and drug abuse and 16.5% were homeless. Most cases default during the intermittent treatment phase and the cause of abandonment was mainly associated with patient factors such as substance abuse, feeling well and job instability. Conclusion: These findings reinforce the importance of applying the score of treatment default risk in patients entering treatment to establish strategies to prevent it.

El abandono del tratamiento de la tuberculosis es uno de los factores más importantes que disminuyen la eficiencia de la terapia. Dentro de sus causas se observan factores relacionados con el paciente, con los fármacos y con el sistema de salud. En Chile, el porcentaje de abandono se ha mantenido en torno al 7%, a pesar de las distintas estrategias implementadas para su prevención. Este estudio corresponde al análisis de las auditorías que se realizan en los casos de abandono y busca definir el perfil del paciente "abandonador" y determinar las causas que mayormente influyen en este resultado. Metodología: Estudio descriptivo de la información contenida en las auditorías de abandono enviadas entre los años 2009 y 2013. Resultados: Se analizaron 134 auditorías de abandono. Se observa un cumplimiento de la actividad de un 35,9% y en la mayoría de los casos el registro es incompleto. La mayoría de los pacientes son de sexo masculino, entre 15 y 45 años de edad y en el 91% es su primer episodio de tuberculosis. El 62,7% presenta algún factor de riesgo asociado al abandono, especialmente alcoholismo y drogadicción y el 16,5% corresponde a personas en situación de calle. La mayoría de los casos abandonó durante la fase intermitente del tratamiento y la causa del abandono estuvo fundamentalmente asociada a factores del paciente, como abuso de sustancias, sensación de mejoría e inestabilidad laboral. Conclusión: Los hallazgos refuerzan la importancia de aplicar el "score de riesgo de abandono" en los pacientes que ingresan a tratamiento para establecer estrategias que permitan prevenirlo.

Risk factors of treatment default and death among tuberculosis patients in a resource-limited setting

Objective: To evaluate the rates, timing and determinants of default and death among adult tuberculosis patients in Nigeria. Methods: Routine surveillance data were used. A retrospective cohort study of adult tuberculosis patients treated during 2011 and 2012 in two large health facilities in Ebonyi State, Nigeria was conducted. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify independent predictors for treatment default and death. Results: Of 1 668 treated patients, the default rate was 157 (9.4%), whilst 165 (9.9%) died. Also, 35.7% (56) of the treatment defaults and 151 (91.5%) of deaths occurred during the intensive phase of treatment. Risk of default increased with increasing age (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.2; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1-1.9), smear-negative TB case (aOR 2.3; CI 1.5-3.6), extrapulmonary TB case (aOR 2.7; CI 1.3-5.2), and patients who received the longer treatment regimen (aOR 1.6; 1.1-2.2). Risk of death was highest in extrapulmonary TB (aOR 3.0; CI 1.4-6.1) and smear-negative TB cases (aOR 2.4; CI 1.7-3.5), rural residents (aOR 1.7; CI 1.2-2.6), HIV co-infected (aOR 2.5; CI 1.7-3.6), not receiving antiretroviral therapy (aOR 1.6; CI 1.1-2.9), and not receiving cotrimoxazole prophylaxis (aOR 1.7; CI 1.2-2.6). Conclusions: Targeted interventions to improve treatment adherence for patients with the highest risk of default or death are urgently needed. This needs to be urgently addressed by the National Tuberculosis Programme.

Risk factors of treatment default and death among tuberculosis patients in a resource-limited setting

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the rates, timing and determinants of default and death among adult tuberculosis patients in Nigeria.@*METHODS@#Routine surveillance data were used. A retrospective cohort study of adult tuberculosis patients treated during 2011 and 2012 in two large health facilities in Ebonyi State, Nigeria was conducted. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify independent predictors for treatment default and death.@*RESULTS@#Of 1 668 treated patients, the default rate was 157 (9.4%), whilst 165 (9.9%) died. Also, 35.7% (56) of the treatment defaults and 151 (91.5%) of deaths occurred during the intensive phase of treatment. Risk of default increased with increasing age (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.2; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1-1.9), smear-negative TB case (aOR 2.3; CI 1.5-3.6), extrapulmonary TB case (aOR 2.7; CI 1.3-5.2), and patients who received the longer treatment regimen (aOR 1.6; 1.1-2.2). Risk of death was highest in extrapulmonary TB (aOR 3.0; CI 1.4-6.1) and smear-negative TB cases (aOR 2.4; CI 1.7-3.5), rural residents (aOR 1.7; CI 1.2-2.6), HIV co-infected (aOR 2.5; CI 1.7-3.6), not receiving antiretroviral therapy (aOR 1.6; CI 1.1-2.9), and not receiving cotrimoxazole prophylaxis (aOR 1.7; CI 1.2-2.6).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Targeted interventions to improve treatment adherence for patients with the highest risk of default or death are urgently needed. This needs to be urgently addressed by the National Tuberculosis Programme.

Tuberculosis en una población pediátrica atendida en un hospital público. Adherencia al tratamiento: Estudio descriptivo / Tuberculosis in a Pediatric Population Treated at a Public Hospital. Adherence to Treatment. Descriptive Study

A partir de la estrategia de la OMS "Alto a la Tuberculosis", se evaluó la situación en un hospital público. Objetivo primario: Contribuir con la estrategia de reducción de la tuberculosis. Objetivo secundario: a) evaluar la adherencia al tratamiento b) describir las características clínico-epidemiológicas de una población pediátrica atendida en un hospital público. Material y método: Se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo, transversal. Se definió: no adherencia al tratamiento, cuando un paciente no recibe los medicamentos durante un mes o más, en cualquier fase del tratamiento. Resultados: Durante los años 2008-2009, se diagnosticó tuberculosis en 30 niños. Mediana de: 56 meses (rango 1m-14 años). Índice de masculinidad: 0.87. Al ingreso 80% eran sintomáticos, 86% eran eutróficos. El foco de contagio se detectó en el 72%. La prueba tuberculínica fue positiva en el 63%. Predominó la forma pulmonar. La forma pulmonar grave se registró en 12/23 y la común o moderada 11/23. La pleural fue más frecuente entre las extrapulmonares. La radiografía de tórax mostró predominio de infiltrado unilateral sin cavidad 11/23. El rendimiento bacteriológico fue del 36,7%. En 2008 la tasa de abandono fue del 50% y en 2009 44,44%. No hubo fallecidos. Conclusiones: Existe una baja detección de casos por antecedente de contacto. No hubo diferencias entre las formas graves y las pulmonares comunes. La tuberculosis pleural predominó como forma extrapulmonar. El abandono de tratamiento fue muy alto por lo cual propusimos realizar intervenciones.

Based on the World Health Organization "Stop TB Strategy", the current situation of the Hospital Prof. Dr. A. Posadas was evaluated. Primary Objective: to contribute to the strategy for tuberculosis reduction. Secondary Objectives: a) to evaluate the adherence to treatment b) to describe clinical and epidemiological features of tuberculosis in a pediatric population at a public hospital. Materials& Method: Observational, longitudinal and retrospective study. Treatment default was defined as the period of one or more months during which a patient does not receive medications, in any phase of treatment. Results: During the years 2008 and 2009, 30 children with tuberculosis were registered. Median age was 56 months (range 1m-14 years). Masculinity Index: 0.87. At the time of the first visit, 80% did not present any symptoms and 86% presented a normal nutritional status. Contacts study was positive in 72% of the cases. Tuberculin test (PPD 2 TU) was positive = 10mm in 63% of the patients. Pulmonary TB was the predominant form of presentation. Severe pulmonary TB was recorded in 12/23 patients and mild or moderate TB, in 11/23 patients. Among the extrapulmonary forms, pleural tuberculosis was predominant. Chest X-ray: unilateral pulmonary TB with no cavity was predominant, 11/23 patients. Bacteriological diagnosis was positive in 36.7% of the patients. Outcome: in 2008, default rate was 50% and in 2009, 44.44%. There were no deceased patients. Conclusions: There is a low case detection by contact history. There were no differences in treatment outcome between severe and non severe pulmonary TB. Pleural tuberculosis was predominant as an extrapulmonary presentation. Treatment default was very high in this population; for this reason individual, particular and general interventions are suggested.

Evaluación de adherencia al tratamiento en un nuevo modelo de atención de niños con tuberculosis en un hospital público / Treatment Assessment in a Pediatric Population Treated for Tuberculosis in a Public Hospital

A partir de la alta tasa de abandono del tratamiento de la tuberculosis observada durante los años 2008-2009, se implementaron intervenciones con el fin de disminuirla. Objetivo primario: Evaluar la adherencia al tratamiento en el nuevo modelo de atención en la población pediátrica con tuberculosis atendida en un hospital público. Objetivo secundario: Describir las características clínico-epidemiológicas de la población pediátrica atendida con tuberculosis. Material y método: Diseño observacional, descriptivo, transversal. Criterios de Inclusión: Niños con diagnóstico de tuberculosis. Se utilizaron las mismas variables, definiciones, indicadores y base de datos del 1er. trabajo. Se implementaron intervenciones en lo individual, particular y general. Estas intervenciones se comenzaron a hacer en el Servicio fuera del marco del trabajo. Resultados: Hubieron 25 niños con tuberculosis. La mediana correspondió a 83 meses (rango 2 m a 15 años). 84% fueron eutróficos. Se detectó foco en el 64%. La prueba tuberculínica fue positiva en el 76%. Predominó la forma pulmonar; la común o moderada se observó en 14/25 y la grave en 7/25. La ganglionar resultó la forma extrapulmonar más frecuente. El patrón radiológico predominante fue unilateral sin cavidad 11/25. El rendimiento bacteriológico fue del 64%. En el año 2010 la tasa de abandono fue del 12%. No hubo fallecidos. Conclusiones: La mayoría de los pacientes presentó formas comunes o moderadas. La TB ganglionar predominó como forma extrapulmonar. La tasa de abandono descendió luego de la implementación del nuevo modelo de atención.

Owing to the high rates of default from tuberculosis treatment observed during 2008 - 2009, interventions were implemented with the purpose of diminishing them. Primary Objective: To make a contribution to tuberculosis treatment adherence. Secondary Objective: a) To evaluate adherence to treatment after implementing individual, particular and general interventions b) To describe clinical and epidemiological features of a pediatric population treated in a public hospital. Materials& Method: Observational, descriptive and transverse design. Inclusion criteria: Patients with tuberculosis diagnosis. The variables, definitions, indicators and database were those used in the previous reported study. Individual, particular and general interventions were implemented. These interventions were carried out outside the service frame of work. Results: 25 children presented with tuberculosis. The median age was 83 months (range 2m to 15 years). 84% presented with a normal nutritional status. Contact investigations were positive for tuberculosis infection sources in 64% of the cases. Tuberculin test was positive in 76% of the cases. Pulmonary TB was the predominant presentation form; mild or moderate pulmonary TB was observed in 14/25, and severe pulmonary TB in 7/25. The most frequent extrapulmonary sites of infection were the lymph nodes. Chest X-ray: unilateral TB with no cavity was predominant, 11/25. Bacteriological diagnosis was positive in 64% of the cases. Outcome: in 2010, 12% of the patients defaulted treatment. There were no deceased patients. Conclusions: Most of the patients presented with mild or moderate TB. Lymph node TB was the predominant extrapulmonary presentation. Default rate decreased with the implementation of the intervention.