HIV-associated TB in An Giang Province, Vietnam, 2001-2004: epidemiology and TB treatment outcomes.
BACKGROUND
Mortality is high in HIV-infected TB patients, but few studies from Southeast Asia have documented the benefits of interventions, such as co-trimoxazole (CTX), in reducing mortality during TB treatment. To help guide policy in Vietnam, we studied the epidemiology of HIV-associated TB in one province and examined factors associated with outcomes, including the impact of CTX use.


RESULTS
We retrospectively abstracted data for all HIV-infected persons diagnosed with TB from 2001-2004 in An Giang, a province in southern Vietnam in which TB patients receive HIV counseling and testing. We used standard WHO definitions to classify TB treatment outcomes. We conducted multivariate analysis to identify risk factors for the composite outcome of death, default, or treatment failure during TB treatment. From 2001-2004, 637 HIV-infected TB patients were diagnosed in An Giang. Of these, 501 (79%) were male, 321 (50%) were aged 25-34 years, and the most common self-reported HIV risk factor was sex with a commercial sex worker in 221 (35%). TB was classified as smear-positive in 531 (83%). During TB treatment, 167 (26%) patients died, 9 (1%) defaulted, and 6 (1%) failed treatment. Of 454 patients who took CTX, 116 (26%) had an unsuccessful outcome compared with 33 (70%) of 47 patients who did not take CTX (relative risk, 0.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.3-0.5). Adjusting for male sex, rural residence, TB smear status and disease location, and the occurrence of adverse events during TB treatment in multivariate analysis, the benefit of CTX persisted (adjusted odds ratio for unsuccessful outcome 0.1; CI, 0.1-0.3).


CONCLUSIONS
In An Giang, Vietnam, HIV-associated TB was associated with poor TB treatment outcomes. Outcomes were significantly better in those taking CTX. This finding suggests that Vietnam should consider applying WHO recommendations to prescribe CTX to all HIV-infected TB patients.
Thuy
Trinh Thanh
TT
Global AIDS Program, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Shah
N Sarita
NS
Anh
Mai Hoang
MH
Nghia
Do Trong
do T
Thom
Duong
D
Linh
Truong
T
Sy
Dinh Ngoc
DN
Duong
Bui Duc
BD
Chau
Luu Thi Minh
LT
Mai
Phuong Thi Phoung
PT
Wells
Charles D
CD
Laserson
Kayla F
KF
Varma
Jay K
JK
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006678:HIV / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014744:Vietnam / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination