title: Predicting non-completion of treatment for latent tuberculous infection: a prospective survey.
abstract: Treatment of latent tuberculosis (TB) infection (LTBI) is essential for the elimination of TB in the United States, but treatment is often not completed. Little is known about patients' reasons for not completing treatment. We hypothesized that certain health beliefs, lifestyle, and clinic- and regimen-related barriers to provision of care could predict non-completion of LTBI treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  We administered a survey in English, Chinese, or Spanish to patients with LTBI at the first TB clinic visit. Using chi(2) and logistic regression analysis, we assessed demographics, TB risk factors, and survey responses as predictors of non-completion of 6 mo of isoniazid.
  
  
  RESULTS
  217 patients, 90% foreign-born, completed the survey, and 28.6% of which finished at least 6 mo of isoniazid under usual clinic conditions. Multivariate analysis identified two independent predictors of non-completion: low risk perception of progressing to active TB without LTBI treatment (odds ratio [OR], 0.31 [0.13-0.72], 95% confidence interval [CI]), p = 0.007, accounting for 20% of non-completers, and not wanting venipuncture (OR, 0.43 [0.22-0.85], 95% CI), p = 0.015, accounting for 37% of non-completers. Another 18% shared both predictors; thus these two predictors accounted for 75% of non-completers in total.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients assess LTBI treatment risks and inconveniences relative to low perceived benefits at treatment outset. Predictors of LTBI treatment non-completion are identifiable at the first visit. Targeting TB high-risk individuals, minimizing inconveniences, further education, and use of diagnostic tests with improved specificity for TB may address these concerns.
authors.affiliation: Pulmonary Center, Boston University School of Medicine, 80 East Concord Street, R-304, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
authors.forename: Fred K
authors.initials: FK
authors.lastname: Shieh
authors.forename: Graham
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Snyder
authors.forename: C Robert
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Horsburgh
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bernardo
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: Jussi J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Saukkonen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007538:Isoniazid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008404:Massachusetts / Q000453:epidemiology; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D017211:Treatment Failure; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents; D007538:Isoniazid