title: Comparing outcomes in new pulmonary sputum positive and sputum negative cases under RNTCP in rural India.
abstract: METHODS
  The study was carried out at the Bagula TU, Nadia, West Bengal, India.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To find out the treatment outcomes of new smear negative cases, in low HIV prevalence population, and to compare the results with new smear positive cases in the same population.
  
  
  METHODS
  It was a retrospective record based study. All patients registered between January 1999 and June 2005 were divided into new smear positive and new smear negative groups and the difference in the outcomes analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Favourable outcome was less in new smear negative cases, compared to new smear positive (84% vs. 86%, p = 0.002).Death and default were more in new smear negative cases, compared to new smear positive (death: 6.8% vs. 3.7%; DEFAULT: 6.02% vs. 4.18%), (p < 0.05). Failure and transferred out were non- significantly higher in new smear positive group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Smear negative patients had a worse treatment outcome compared to smear positive patients including lower favourable outcomes and higher deaths and defaults. The possible reasons need to be explored and corrective actions need to be taken accordingly.
authors.affiliation: State Tuberculosis Demonstration and Training Centre, Medical College, Kolkata. drabijit71@gmail.com
authors.forename: Abhijit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mukherjee
authors.forename: Rupak
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Singla
authors.forename: Indranil
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Saha
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012424:Rural Population; D013183:Sputum / Q000382:microbiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014944:World Health Organization; D055815:Young Adult