Study of efficacy, safety and outcomes of shorter course regimen at nodal DRTB Centre SNMC Agra

ABSTRACT

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a communicable disease that is a major cause of illness and one of the leading causes of death. Until the COVID-19 pandemic, TB was the leading cause of death from a single infectious agent, ranking above HIV. Multi drug-resistant TB remains a public health crisis. In this situation, an attempt of using the shorter course Regimen to face the MDR-TB crisis as an alternate method proves to be promising. Therapy of MDR-TB using shorter course regimen is crucial and essential to explore, as it has the potential to increase the success of MDR-TB treatment. Methods: The proposed study was a hospital based, nonrandomized and without control group observational and prospective study, in cohort of 180 DRTB patients conducted at Nodal DRTB Centre, SNMC AGRA. Results: Among 180 patients 54% were male and 46% female. Maximum number of patients 39% in 21-30 years of age group.48% patients were known to their contacts.54% patients developed resistance due to failure of previous regimen.126 patients were reported with adverse effects. Cough was the most common clinical feature.46 completed the treatment.39% patients were declared cured. Conclusion: 70% of the patients faced adverse events during the course. 1.6% patients required change in regimen.61% completed the treatment and 39% were declared cured.