Mortality in successfully treated tuberculosis patients in southern Ethiopia: retrospective follow-up study.
METHODS
The tuberculosis (TB) programme in the Sidama zone of southern Ethiopia.


OBJECTIVE
To measure excess mortality in successfully treated TB patients.


METHODS
In a retrospective cohort study of TB patients treated from 1998 to 2006, mortality was used as an outcome measure, and was calculated per 100 person-years of observation (PYO) from the date of completion of treatment to date of interview if the patient was alive, or to date of death. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression methods were used to determine the survival and hazard ratios. An indirect method of standardisation was used to calculate the standard mortality ratio (SMR).


RESULTS
A total of 725 TB patients were followed for 2602 person-years: 91.1% (659/723) were alive and 8.9% (64/723) had died. The mortality rate was 2.5% per annum. Sex, age and occupation were associated with high mortality. More deaths occurred in non-farmers (SMR = 9.95, 95%CI 7.17-12.73).


CONCLUSIONS
The mortality rate was higher in TB patients than in the general population. More deaths occurred in non-farmers, men and the elderly. Further studies are required to identify the causes of death in these patients.
Datiko
D G
DG
Centre for International Health, University of Bergen, Overlege Danielsens Hus, Bergen, Norway. danieljohn42@yahoo.com
Lindtjørn
B
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005002:Ethiopia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009790:Occupations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality*; D055815:Young Adult
D000995:Antitubercular Agents