title: Treatment outcome of multidrug/extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis in Latvia, 2000-2004.
abstract: In the present study, we characterised drug-resistance patterns, compared treatment outcome between extensively and nonextensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (non-XDR-TB) cases, and assessed risk factors for poor outcome in a high-prevalence country that screens all TB patients for first-line anti-TB drug resistance. We reviewed drug susceptibility test results among all pulmonary TB cases in Latvia diagnosed from 2000-2004, as well as demographic and clinical characteristics, drug-resistance patterns, and treatment outcomes. During the 5-yr period, 1,027 multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) cases initiated treatment. Among all cases, the proportion that experienced an outcome of cure or completion increased from 66.2 to 70.2% (p = 0.06 for linear trend). Among the 48 (4.7%) XDR-TB cases, 18 (38%) were cured, four (8%) died, three (6%) defaulted, and treatment failed in 23 (48%). In proportional-hazards analysis, characteristics significantly associated with poor outcome included XDR-TB, being retired, presence of bilateral cavitation, and previous MDR-TB treatment history for those aged ≥55 yrs. Overall, treatment success among all MDR-TB cases increased over time. Strategies to prevent transmission of XDR-TB and to further improve treatment outcome are crucial for the future of TB control in Latvia.
authors.affiliation: State Agency of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases, Riga, Latvia.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Leimane
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dravniece
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Riekstina
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sture
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kammerer
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Skenders
authors.forename: T H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Holtz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015331:Cohort Studies; D054908:Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007844:Latvia; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents