Poor treatment outcomes among multidrug-resistant tuberculosis patients in Gomel Region, Republic of Belarus

Tuberculosis (TB) health facilities in the Gomel Region, Republic of Belarus-settings with a high burden of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.

To determine treatment outcomes among MDR-TB patients diagnosed in 2009-2010 and factors associated with unsuccessful outcomes (death, failure and loss to follow-up).

Retrospective cohort study involving a review of an electronic patient database maintained under the National Tuberculosis Control Programme.

Of 517 patients diagnosed, 78 (15%) did not start treatment. Among 439 patients who started treatment (84% males, median age 45 years, 15% HIV-infected), 291 (66%) had unsuccessful outcomes (35% deaths, 18% treatment failure and 13% lost to follow-up). Multivariate regression analysis showed that patients aged ⩾45 years (aRR 1.2, 95%CI 1.1-1.3), HIV-infected patients and those not receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) (aRR 1.5, 95%CI 1.4-1.6) and those with a previous history of anti-tuberculosis treatment (aRR 1.2, 95%CI 1.1-1.4) had significantly higher risk of unsuccessful outcomes.

Treatment outcomes among MDR-TB patients were poor, with high rates of death, failure and loss to follow-up (including pre-treatment loss to follow-up). Urgent measures to increase ART uptake among HIV-infected MDR-TB patients, improved access to second-line anti-tuberculosis drug susceptibility testing and comprehensive patient support measures are required to address this grim situation.