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Background: There is limited access to 1 year of adjuvant trastuzumab in resource-constrained settings. Most randomized studies have failed to prove non-inferiority of shorter durations of adjuvant trastuzumab compared to 1 year However, shorter durations are often used when 1 year is not financially viable. We report the outcomes with 12 weeks of trastuzumab administered as part of curative-intent treatment. Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of patients treated at Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai, a tertiary care cancer center in India. Patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER2)-positive early or locally advanced breast cancer who received 12 weeks of adjuvant or neoadjuvant trastuzumab with paclitaxel and four cycles of an anthracycline-based regimen in either sequence, through a patient assistance program between January 2011 and December 2012, were analyzed for disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), and toxicity. Results: A total of 102 patients were analyzed with a data cutoff in September 2019. The median follow-up was 72 months (range 6–90 months), the median age was 46 (24–65) years, 51 (50%) were postmenopausal, 37 (36%) were hormone receptor-positive, and 61 (60%) had stage-III disease. There were 37 DFS events and 26 had OS events. The 5-year DFS was 66% (95% Confidence Interval [CI] 56–75%) and the OS was 76% (95% CI 67–85%), respectively. Cardiac dysfunction developed in 11 (10.7%) patients. Conclusion: The use of neoadjuvant or adjuvant 12-week trastuzumab-paclitaxel in sequence with four anthracycline-based regimens resulted in acceptable long-term outcomes in a group of patients, most of whom had advanced-stage nonmetastatic breast cancer.
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Background:Re-evaluation of the epidemiological profile of tuberculosis (TB) patients can help to eliminate the number of cases. This study was aimed to analyse the association of socio-demographic profile with type of TB among patients attending a rural DOTS centrein central Kerala.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among TB patients at a rural DOTS clinic in central Kerala during January 2020-June 2021. Various socio-demographic parameters such as age, gender and socio-economic status and comorbidities of patients with pulmonary and extrapulmonary TB were retrieved from the DOTS register. The data was analyzed.Results: A total of 241 patients (134 males and 107 females) were enrolled. In general, age group 41-60 years showed maximum incidence (p=0.0283). Lower middle (32.7%) and middle class (36.5%) strata constituted the majority of burden (p=0.9091). The distribution of cases was not associated to occupation (p=0.06). Extrapulmonary form (55%) was found to be predominant with very poor awareness (p=0.06). A significant delay of at least 1-3 months in recognizing the symptoms and thus the clinical diagnosis particularly in extrapulmonary cases was found. Diabetes mellitus was the most frequent comorbidity in TB patients.Conclusions: The prevalence was most common in age group 41-60 years without any association to occupation. Since the diabetes mellitus is the most frequent comorbidity in TB patients, early screening will make an effective management. Society oriented awareness programme about the extrapulmonary TB is inevitable
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Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health concern despite being a curable and preventable disease. The treatment of TB using a cocktail of drugs over a period of six months under the directly observed treatment short-course strategy has led to a reduction in cases but is plagued by some challenges that leads to unsuccessful or poor outcomes, which can ultimately result in spread of infections, development of drug resistance and increase in morbidity and mortality. The objectives of this study are to determine outcomes of TB treatment in Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria and the factors that may be associated with the outcomes. Methodology: This was a retrospective study using the medical records of patients who were registered for TB treatment over a five-year period between 2016 to 2020. Data from TB registers including demographic and relevant clinical information, and treatment outcomes, were extracted into a structured data extraction format, and analysed with SPSS version 21.0 software package. Univariate and bivariate analyses were conducted, and Chi square test was used to determine association between TB outcomes and independent variables at 95% confidence interval and p<0.05 was considered as the significant value. Results: Records of 1,313 patients were studied, 744 (56.7%) were males while 569 (43.3%) were females. The age range of the patients was ≤ 1 year - 96 years, with a mean age of 30±16.7 years. Most were pulmonary TB cases (88.8%, n=1,166), newly diagnosed (95.5%, n=1254), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) negative at the time of TB diagnosis (63.7%, n=837). Eight hundred and seven (61.5%) patients had successful treatment, and 34% (n=446) had unsuccessful outcomes made of 'loss to follow-up' 25.8% (n=339), deaths 7.8% (n=102) and treatment failure 0.4% (n=5), while 2.3% (n=30) were transferred out and 2.3% (n=30) removed from TB register. Treatment success rate was significantly higher in patients with pulmonary TB (p=0.0024), residents in Lafia LGA (p=0.0005), those treated in 2016 (p=0.0006) and bacteriologically confirmed cases (p<0.0001), while death rate was significantly lower among patients who were HIV-negative at the time of TB diagnosis (p<0.0001). Conclusion: TB treatment success rate in this study fell short of the WHO average rate. High rates of 'loss to followup' and deaths in this study is a wake-up call to all stakeholders in the facility and the State to put in place measures to reduce poor outcomes of TB treatment.
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Tuberculose , Cooperação do Paciente , Resultado do Tratamento , Adesão à Medicação , Instalações de SaúdeRESUMO
Background: Ending the tuberculosis (TB) epidemic by 2030 is among the health targets of the sustainable development goals. Side effects to anti-TB drugs are common and may lead to reduced compliance to treatment. These adverse effects must be recognized early to reduce associated morbidity and mortality. Objective of this study was to determine the adverse drug reactions (ADR) to anti-tubercular therapy among patients visiting directly observed treatment, short-course (DOTS) centre MIMS, Mandya.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted at DOTS Centre MIMS, Mandya. TB patients registered at DOTS Centre during the year 2018 were selected for the study. Verbal informed consent was taken from the TB patients and interviewed using pretested semi-structured questionnaire. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics and chi square test.Results: Among the study population (n=90), 67 (74.4%) experienced ADR among which 47.7% took treatment for ADR and the remaining 52.3% patients were given reassurance. In this study, gastrointestinal manifestations (42.3%) were the most common adverse drug reaction (ADR). Of the TB patients who experienced ADR, 9.0% of them had interrupted ATT, however they completed full course of ATT.Conclusions: A considerable number of TB patients taking ATT experience ADRs and some of them may have to interrupt treatment. However, they need to be counselled or supervised with caution to complete their course of treatment to reduce the chances of treatment default and also reduce the occurrence of drug resistance.
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Objective@#This study aimed to describe the clinical profile and treatment outcomes of patients treated with a short course (<10 fractions) of palliative radiotherapy during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Another aim of the study is to compare patients treated with short-course and long-course palliative radiotherapy in terms of the site and volume irradiated. @*Methods@#An ambispective study comprised 23 patients treated with short-course palliative radiotherapy from March 2020 to February 2021. The retrospective aspect of this study included a review of medical records and radiotherapy plans, while the prospective part involved communication with patients or legally authorized representatives via phone call. Demographic, clinical, and treatment-related information were gathered. @*Results@#Of 92 patients receiving palliative radiotherapy, 23 were treated with a short course, while 69 were planned for at least ten fractions. Of the 23 patients receiving short-course radiotherapy, most had colorectal (35%) and head and neck (26%) primary malignancies. The most commonly treated sites were the pelvis (24%), vertebral bones (21%), and head and neck masses (21%), and the most common indications were pain (45%) and bleeding (32%). The majority were treated with 20 Gy in 5 fractions (42%) and 25 Gy in 5 fractions (38%). Complete resolution of symptoms was observed in 43% of cases, and more than half reported no side effects (58%). Median survival was 71 days. All patients treated in the lung, stomach, and brain underwent a long course of palliative radiotherapy. Patients with a long course also had higher mean irradiated volumes (1871 cm3 vs. 2150 cm3). @*Conclusion@#In this single institution review, a short course of palliative radiotherapy was proven to provide good symptom control with few side effects. During the COVID-19 pandemic, its use should be strongly considered, especially in patients with poor performance status, transportation difficulties, and limited life expectancy.
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COVID-19RESUMO
Introduction: Microbiologically confirmed pulmonarytuberculosis patients under Revised National TuberculosisControl Programme (RNTCP) are treated with a 6-monthshort-course chemotherapy (SCC) regimen irrespectiveof co-morbid conditions. The aim of present study was todetermine the time taken for SSC conversion with standardcurrent treatment with anti-tubercular drugs and analysis ofrisk factors if any delaying it. We undertook this prospectivestudy to compare sputum conversion rates (smear) at the endof intensive phase (IP) of Category regimen.Material and methods: was a prospective study which wasconducted for a period of eleven months from August 2018 toJune 2019 at Department of Respiratory Medicine, K.N ChestHospital, S.N Medical College, Jodhpur Rajasthan India.Patients visiting Department of Respiratory medicine and whowere diagnosed as pulmonary tuberculosis by sputum smearexamination were included in study.Result: Sputum smear-positive patients are infectious to closecontacts as well as to community as they continue to expelbacilli for a variable period of time after initiation of DOTSregimen. Most patients undergo sputum conversion by theend of 3rd month. Patients who have predominant cavitatorydisease in radiology, high smear grading before treatment, aprior history of DS/DR tuberculosis are more likely to havedelayed sputum smear conversion.Conclusion: There need to mandate DST at the starting ofDOTS in line with latest RNTCP guidelines to prevent thedevelopment of MDR strains and failures. Also there is astrong need to constitute strong infection control measures tillpatients are labelled as noninfectious.
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Background: Tuberculosis is among the most important causes of death from a single infectious agent and a major public health problem causing an enormous burden of disease and economic impact especially in the developing countries. Pulmonary tuberculosis is the most common form of tuberculosis causing >85% of all tuberculosis cases. The smear conversion rate is an operational indicator for the directly observed treatment short course (DOTS) strategy of Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) in India.Methods: A longitudinal study was conducted in DMC, RRMCH, in the first two quarters of the year 2013 i.e., from January 1st to June 31st of the year 2013. All 130 adult category I (new) sputum smear positive cases that attended DMC, and registered under RNTCP constituted the sample for the study. Data was collected by interview method by using pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20.0.Results: Majority of the study subjects was >50 years, Hindus, illiterates, belonged to nuclear family from rural area belonged to upper lower socio-economic class. The overall sputum smear conversion rate is 92.4%. Lower sputum smear conversion rate was observed in the following risk factors like the male gender, smoking, diabetes, initial high pre-treatment smear grading and poor drug compliance.Conclusions: The overall sputum conversion rate at the end of two months of intensive phase under (DOTS) chemotherapy in 118 sputum smear positive (cat I) new pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Designated Microscopy and Treatment Centre (DMC) Rajarajeswari Medical College and Hospital was 92.4%.
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Background: Brain metastases are the most common intracranial malignancy in adults and their management poses a significant healthcare problem. Of the various options available, whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) remains the mainstay of treatment. Nonetheless, there is a need to develop fractionation schedules for best symptom palliation and prolonged survival. This prospective study aims to compare treatment outcome in terms of overall survival in two different WBRT schedules and determine the prognostic factors affecting this outcome.Methods: Sixty previously untreated patients with symptomatic brain metastases were randomized in two arms of 30 patients each to receive WBRT. Arm A patients received 30Gy in 10 fractions (long-course) and arm B received 20Gy in 5 fractions (short-course). All patients were assessed during and after completion of WBRT at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months.Results: At 12 months post WBRT, the objective response rate i.e. complete and partial response (CR+PR) was 6.67% in arm A and 13.34% in arm B (p=0.96). Both WBRT regimens showed similar survival (p=0.65). On multivariate linear regression analysis, age ≤65 years, Karnofsky performance score (KPS) ≥70 and lack of extra-cranial metastases were significantly associated with improved survival at the end of 12 months post WBRT. EORTC QLQ-C30 showed similar improvement in quality of life in both the arms (p=0.86).Conclusions: This study suggests comparable results in the two fractionation schedules. Therefore, short-course WBRT may be used as a more convenient option in favour of shorter hospital stay and lesser burden on RT machines.
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Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health problem in India with high morbidity and mortality. As per the World Health Organization guidelines, the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program introduced daily directly observed treatment, short-course (DOTS) regimen with a fixed-dose combination with weight bands. This study was undertaken to compare the effectiveness of daily DOTS regimen with intermittent regimen and to assess the proportion of adverse drug reactions in both groups. Materials and Methods: A descriptive study was conducted at a peripheral health institute under one of the TB Units in South Bengaluru. Participants registered for treatment during the third and fourth quarter of 2017 were selected using continuous sampling. Data were collected by case record analysis, structured interviews, and telephonic follow-up. Results: The study included 81 participants, with the mean age of 40 ± 16.1 years. Majority of the study participants 55 (67.9%) were male, and majority (38 [46.9%]) belonged to the upper-lower class. Forty-two (51.8%) of the study participants were on intermittent regimen, and 39 (48.1%) were on daily DOTS regimen. There was 100% sputum conversion at the end of treatment under both treatment regimens. A total of 36 (85.7%) participants under intermittent regimen and nine (23%) under daily regimen developed one or the other adverse drug reactions. The treatment success for participants under intermittent regimen was 38 (90.47%) and that for daily regimen was 35 (89.74%). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion: Both daily and intermittent DOTS regimens are equally effective in TB treatment, but adverse drug reactions were more common with the intermittent regimen.
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Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the most infectious diseases if not treated properly it may lead to mortality. The directly observed treatment, short course (DOTS) therapy is the choice of the treatment of TB. Objectives: The objectives of the study were (1) to determine the factors influencing compliance of persons with TB to DOTS, (2) to evaluate the effectiveness of an awareness program on knowledge and compliance to DOTS among persons with TB, (3) to find the association between pre-test level of knowledge with selected sociodemographic variables, and (4) to find the association between pre-test level of compliance to DOTS with selected sociodemographic variables. Materials and Methods: An evaluative approach with one group pre-test and post-test design was used as a research design in the study. 50 participants were selected as a sample using purposive sampling technique. The data were collected using structured knowledge questionnaire and compliance checklist through interview schedule Results: The study result showed that the mean post-test knowledge score (17.32 ± 1.58) was higher than the mean pre-test knowledge score (10.80 ± 2.05) and “t” value is 27.22 at P < 0.05. Similarly, the mean post-test compliance score (8.92 + 0.72) was higher than the mean pre-test compliance score (6.00 ± 1.05) and “t” value is 9.369 at P < 0.05. The sociodemographic variable such as age and educational status was significantly associated with pre-test knowledge score (χ² = 5.993, P < 0.05, and χ² = 11.49, P < 0.05), respectively, and gender was significantly associated with pre-test compliance score (χ² = 4.482, P < 0.05). The main reason for noncompliance to DOTS therapy was difficult to take multiple drugs for a long period and data showed that family support (29.55%) was highly influencing to comply with DOTS therapy. Conclusion: The awareness program was highly effective in increasing knowledge among TB person and compliance to DOTS therapy. Therefore, the knowledge and compliance of the TB person to DOTS therapy can be further improved by providing on-going awareness programs.
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Background: Studies have shown that the prevalence of psychiatric disorders, particularly depression, is high among tuberculosis (TB) patients, and may adversely affect treatment compliance. A person suffering from TB can develop depression in due course of time owing to a number of factors, namely the long duration of treatment for TB, stigmatization faced by the patient due to the disease and lack of family support to name a few. Objectives: The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of depression and its correlates among TB patients enrolled at a Directly Observed Treatment Short-course (DOTS) center in a rural area of Delhi. Methods: The study was a DOTS center-based, cross-sectional study, among 106 patients of pulmonary and extrapulmonary TB, above 18 years of age. An interviewer-administered questionnaire in Hindi was used to collect basic sociodemographic data and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9 was used for detecting depression. Those with a score of 10 or more were considered to be suffering from depression. Data analysis was done using SPSS licensed version 20. Chi-square was used to test for association between qualitative variables, and a P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 106 patients participated in the study, of which 61 (57.5%) were males. The median age was 30 years (inter-quartile range 24� years). Depression was found to be present in 25 (23.6%) participants. A higher proportion of patients with depression were unemployed currently, and also belonged to middle or lower class (P < 0.05). Depression was not found to be associated with religion, gender, marital status, HIV status, presence of diabetes, DOTS category nor with the phase of treatment. Conclusion: Depression among TB patients is common, affecting almost one in four TB patients. Physicians and DOTS providers should have a high index of suspicion for depression when assessing TB patients.
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@#<p><strong>OBJECTIVE:</strong> This was an evaluation of the effectiveness of the technical assistance package for the Pharmacy DOTS Initiative (PDI) in the Philippines.</p><p><strong>METHODOLOGY:</strong> Five pre-identified implementation sites were included in the evaluation. A survey was conducted to ascertain pharmacies currently implementing PDI and the number of TB presumptive cases referred by these pharmacies. Data abstraction was performed to determine the change in the number of TB cases seen by local TB programs after its implementation.</p><p><strong>RESULTS:</strong> Findings revealed that the proportion of pharmacies actively referring presumptive TB patients is not significantly lower than 60% (p=0.1892). Furthermore, results showed that the average monthly referrals were not statistically lower than 20 clients per month (p=0.9159). Nevertheless, interrupted time series analysis found no statistically significant immediate effects (p=0.516) and long-term effects (p=0.3673) on the total number of new TB cases identified after the PDI was implemented in the year 2014.</p><p><strong>CONCLUSION:</strong> The PDI was able to achieve outputs related to pharmacy engagement and referral of TB presumptive clients. However, the PDI was unsuccessful in increasing the actual number of TB presumptive cases seen by local TB programs in its implementation sites.</p>
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Tuberculose , FilipinasRESUMO
Purpose: The Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) is now introducing daily fixed-dose regimen instead of Directly Observed Treatment, Short Course (DOTS) regimen for treatment of drug-sensitive tuberculosis (TB) in India. It would be beneficial to understand the drawbacks, barriers and advantages of the existing system for better implementation of new policy. Our study was aimed to evaluate the current microbiological status of new microbiologically confirmed pulmonary TB patients who have successfully completed intermittent DOTS regimen within last 2 years and also to find the economic barriers faced by beneficiaries to avail DOTS treatment. Materials and Methods: We included patients who had completed CAT 1 DOTS regimen within the last 2 years. The patients were interviewed. Sputum sample was collected for microscopy and cartridge-based nucleic acid amplification test. Results: All patients were adhered to intermittent DOTS therapy, and sputum conversion rate was 83%. Minor gastrointestinal side effects were experienced by 60% of cases and 87% consumed drugs under supervision. On microbiological examination, 10% of the study population was found to be positive for TB and they all were rifampicin sensitive. Those who had completed treatment within 1 year with no clinical symptoms re-appeared after treatment. Conclusion: Till date, RNTCP does not follow up the patients for any period of time after successful completion of treatment. Through the present study, we could find relapse cases in 10% of the previously treated non-symptomatic patients. These unnoticed relapse cases have potential to spread TB and increase disease burden of country. Thus, we can conclude that RNTCP has to follow up the patients after successful treatment to determine whether they relapse. It is needed for the success of programme and control of the disease in the country.
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@#Objective To investigate the safety and efficacy of preoperative ultra-short-course chemotherapy combined with surgical treatment of chest wall tuberculosis. Methods The clinical data of 216 patients with chest wall tuberculosis from January 2013 to June 2016 in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed, including 121 males and 95 females with an average age of 35±15 years (range, 4-74 years). Results All patients were treated with anti-tuberculosis drugs for 17.0±11.3 days preoperatively, including 12.5±5.0 days in simple chest wall tuberculosis and 19.4±12.3 days in combined chest wall tuberculosis. The postoperative recurrence rate of chest wall tuberculosis was 3.7%, which was close to or lower than that of routine preoperative antituberculous therapy in patients with ultra-short-course anti-tuberculosis treatment before surgery. Conclusion Preoperative ultra-short-course chemotherapy combined with surgical treatment for chest wall tuberculosis will not increase the recurrence rate of chest wall tuberculosis, and can effectively shorten the hospital stay. Timely adjustment of anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy based on thorough debridement, postoperative drugs, not the preoperative drugs, is the key to reinforce the surgical outcome.
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Mycobacterium kansasii, most virulent of all atypical mycobacteria, causes pulmonary disease identical to the disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Early identification of the species and prompt initiation of treatment for M. kansasii is necessary to prevent morbidity and mortality due to this disease. This case series highlights the similarity in the clinical presentation of both M. tuberculosis and M. kansasii and response to direct observation of short‑course chemotherapy with rifampicin, in the management of pulmonary M. kansasii disease. Larger studies are required to evaluate the long‑term effect of short‑course chemotherapy, especially use of moxifloxacin, in the management of pulmonary M. kansasii disease.
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Background: MDR-TB is defined as resistance to isoniazid and rifampicin with or without resistance to other drugs. India is one of the countries with largest burden of MDR TB in the world. Second line Anti-tuberculous therapy is now available for patients with MDR-TB under the RNTCP Category IV. but there are many challenges for MDR-TB control in india. This study was done to analyses the RNTCP data for MDR-TB maintained at a TU, in the city of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, and to compare it with the data available in literature. This study also aimed to identify challenges faced while treating MDR-TB and to address the same. Material and methods: We had restropectively analyzed 353 patients referred to the TU from the respective Direct Microscopy Center (DMC) with suspicion of MDR-TB during a period of January 2014 to December 2014. Results: Of the 353 suspected MDR_TB patients referred to the TU, 48 patients (13.597%) were diagnosed to have MDR-TB. Of these 48 patients, 46 patients had pulmonary TB (95.833%) and 2 patients had extra-pulmonary MDR-TB (4.166%). Of the 48 patients, 08 (16.67%) patients were transferred to their respective TU and 40 patients (83.33%) were enrolled for Cat IV from our TU. Of the 40 patients enrolled at our TU, 30 patients (75%) were continuing Category IV at the end of 2014 (25 were on intensive phase and 05 were on continuation phase), 03 patients (7.5%) died during treatment, 01 patient (2.5%) defaulted treatment, 05 patients (12.5%) refused treatment and 01 patient had XDR-TB (2.5%). Of the 40 patients, 05 patients (12.5%) had ofloxacin resistance. NO patient had intolerance to any oral or injectable ATT. None of the diagnosed MDR-TB patients had HIV co-infection Conclusion: Drug resistance in tuberculosis is a “man-made problem”. Anti-TB chemotherapy must be given optimally by (i) ensuring adequate absorption of drugs, (ii) timely diagnosis and management of drug toxicities and (iii) treatment adherence. To ensure that all patients get adequate treatment and to have a close follow-up of defaulters and patients who refuse treatment; we need to strengthen our existing management information system and also incorporate private sectors into our system.
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Background: Post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) is a recognized dermatologic complication of successfully treated visceral leishmaniasis (VL). PKDL lesions are suspected to be important reservoirs for VL transmission in Sudan. Prolonged treatment schedules, feeling of general well-being and the social stigmata of PKDL prevent most patients seeking treatment. The mainstay of treatment is cardiotoxic sodium stibogluconate (SSG) for 60-120 days. Recently, liposomal amphotericin B (Ambisome®) and immunochemotherapy gave promising results. Ambisome® is expensive and difficult to prepare under field conditions. Paromomycin/SSG combination has been shown to be safe, efficacious and can save time in VL treatment. This study aims to prove that Paromomycin/SSG combination can cure and reduce PKDL treatment duration. Methods: We are reporting nine cases of patients with PKDL lesions of ≥6 months duration who were diagnosed by clinical signs, histopathological/immunohistochemical and PCR. Results: Patients’ mean age was 11.7 ± 4.3 years. A third of the patients (3/9; 33.3%) who failed previous SSG treatment of 2-3 months duration responded completely to 40 days of paromomycin/SSG combination. The majority of patients (5/9; 55.6%) responded completely to 30 days of the combination. One patient (1/9; 11.1%) relapsed following 30 days paromomycin/SSG combination. Conclusion: It was concluded that paromomycin/SSG combination for 30 days is time-saving, safe and efficacious for PKDL treatment.
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Pulmonary tuberculosis (PT) Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the most important communicable diseases in the world. India is the highest PT TB burden country accounting for one-fifth (21%) of the global incidence (9.4 million cases). This problem is further magnified by the after-effects of the disease—post-tubercular bronchiectasis (PTBX). As a result, the sufferers run from pillar to post with sinister symptomatology. Some of them are retreated with antituberculous treatment, although there is no definite indication. Katuri Medical College is situated in the rural Guntur surrounded by number of dusty industries like granite, quarrying, cotton crop and mills, tobacco, capsicum crop, spices besides being an agricultural area on the brink of mighty Krishna River flowing at a length of more than 700 km through three states of Karnataka, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. As a result the flora and fauna is complex. Workers in this area report with variegated granulomatous lung diseases to the faculty of Pulmonology. Over and above the incidence of smoking in both sexes is rampant. The final outcome in all these morbidities is bronchiectasis. Quite a few of them have had treatment for pulmonary TB in the past. With this background the present study was undertaken to find out the vagary of post-tubercular bronchiectasis ruling out the extrinsic atmospheric factors.
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Objective To compare the efficacy and safety of levofloxacin 750 mg for 5 days versus 500 mg for 7‐14 days intravenous (IV ) infusion in the treatment of community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP ) . Methods This study was a multi‐center , randomized , open‐label , non‐inferiority , controlled clinical trial .The CAP patients were randomized to receive levofloxacin 750 mg IV daily for 5 days or levofloxacin 500 mg IV daily for 7‐14 days .The clinical symptoms , laboratory tests , imaging results and microbiology data were collected and compared between the two treatment groups in terms of efficacy and safety .Results A total of 241 patients were enrolled in this clinical trial from 10 study centers .Among these patients ,223 were eligible for full analysis set (FAS) analysis ,including 111 in 750 mg group and 112 in 500 mg group .Of the 223 patients in FAS ,211 were eligible for per‐protocol set (PPS) analysis ,including 107 in 750 mg group and 104 in 500 mg group .Two hundred and forty‐one patients were included in safety set (SS) ,including 121 patients in 750 mg group and 120 in 500 mg group .The median treatment duration was 5 .0 days in 750 mg and 9 .0 days in 500 mg group .The median total dose was 3 750 mg in 750 mg group and 4 500 mg in 500 mg group .The overall efficacy rate was 86 .2% in 750 mg group and 84 .7% in 500 mg group in terms of FAS at visit 4 ,which suggested that the efficacy of 750 mg group was non‐inferior to 500 mg group .Of the 111 FAS patients in 750 mg group ,40 were bacteriological evaluable ,and 41 strains of pathogens were isolated .Forty‐nine of the 112 FAS patients in 500 mg group were bacteriological evaluable ,and 51 bacterial strains were obtained .The bacterial eradication rate was 100% in both groups .The clinical treatment efficacy rate for atypical pathogens was 100% in both groups .In 750 mg group ,the most common clinical adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were injection site adverse reactions including injection site pruritus ,pain and hyperemia .The other common ADRs were insomnia ,nausea ,skin rash .The most common drug‐related laboratory abnormalities were neutrophil percentage decreased , decreased white blood cell (WBC ) count , alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) elevation .Most of the ADRs were mild in severity and well‐tolerated .The safety profile of the two treatments was comparable in terms of the drug‐related treatment discontinuation and the incidence of ADRs .Conclusions The short‐course regimen of levofloxacin 750 mg IV for 5 days is at least as effective and well tolerated as the long‐course regimen of 500 mg IV for 7‐14 days in treatment of CAP .
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Background: TB cases detected in Nigeria are still far below WHO target of 70% despite adoption of DOTS strategy since 1994 with subsequent expansion of treatment to primary health centers where diagnosis and treatment is done mainly by general health care workers. However, the extent of adherence to standard guideline by such cadre is unknown. Aims & Objective: This study aimed at assessing the knowledge on TB diagnosis and treatment by PHC workers in Osun and Oyo States. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 280 general health care workers in 23 health care facilities selected using multistage sampling technique. Interviewed was done with a pre-tested selfadministered questionnaire in November, 2007. Results: Majority of the respondents (41%) are Community health extension workers i.e115 (41.1%) while 76 (27.1%) are nurses and 37 (13.2%) pharmacists. Knowledge on TB causation and mode of transmission was found to be relatively high as about 200 (71.4%) correctly describe TB as a microbial infection and about 216 (77.1%) knew airborne route as mode of transmission. When asked to define DOTS, 62.5% of the health workers gave a correct definition with only 109 (38.9%) abled to list the 4 main drugs given during intensive phase of treatment. In addition, about half of the respondents (52.5%) knew that treatment last for 8 months. Conclusion: The findings in this study several knowledge gaps on directly observed treatment short course therapy among healthcare providers. Multiple strategies are required to improve health care workers' knowledge and practice of Tuberculosis control.