IPT in people living with HIV in Myanmar: a five-fold decrease in incidence of TB disease and all-cause mortality

Myanmar, a country with a high human immunodeficiency virus-tuberculosis (HIV-TB) burden, where the tuberculin skin test or interferon-gamma release assays are not routinely available for the diagnosis of latent tuberculous infection.

To assess the effect of isoniazid (INH) preventive therapy (IPT) on the risk of TB disease and mortality among people living with HIV (PLHIV).

A retrospective cohort study of routinely collected data on PLHIV enrolled into care between 2009 and 2014.

Of 7177 patients (median age 36 years, interquartile range 31-42; 53% male) included in the study, 1278 (18%) patients received IPT. Among patients receiving IPT, 855 (67%) completed 6 or 9 months of INH. Patients who completed IPT had a significantly lower risk of incident TB than those who never received IPT (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.21, 95%CI 0.12-0.34) after controlling for potential confounders. PLHIV who received IPT had a significantly lower risk of death than those who never received IPT (PLHIV who completed IPT, aHR 0.25, 95%CI 0.16-0.37; those who received but did not complete IPT, aHR 0.55, 95%CI 0.37-0.82).

Among PLHIV in Myanmar, completing a course of IPT significantly reduced the risk of TB disease, and receiving IPT significantly reduced the risk of death.