Brief description of study

Relevant findings

1) Retrospective cohort study in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil of 311 patients from years 2004-2006 (ARR―Adjusted Risk Ratio)

- Reported that poor predictors of treatment outcome and infection were alternative regimens of SEO (Streptomycin, Ethambutol and Ofloxacin) (ARR: 11.43), Low income (ARR: 11.20), HIV without ART (ARR: 9.64), Lack of bacterial confirmation (ARR: 4.0) Diabetes (ARR: 3.94) younger age (ARR: 3.84) and alcoholism (ARR: 1.76).

2) Prospective cohort study in 2 tertiary centers in South Korea from years 2005-2012 (limitations represents severe cases of TB as it was done in tertiary centers, not representative of all TB cases)

- Identified that predictors of End of Study (EOS) outcomes included a diagnosis of Diabetes, presence of MDR-TB, high risk age group, BMI and alcoholism.

- Noted curiously that social stigma of the disease, long distance away from treatment center and blue collar workers also exhibited worse outcomes.

3) A retrospective cohort study using the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-TB (FACIT-TB) scale to assess health related quality of life in 205 patients in a tertiary center in Iraq. FACIT-TB is a quality of life measure that investigates physical, social, economic and spiritual aspects of someone with or without TB. Administered either face to face interview or self-administered.

- The study population consisted of almost 30% illiterate participants and 50% sole breadwinners.

- Poor educational levels, poor financial status, smokers, emotional stress and also psychiatric complications were markers of poorer treatment outcomes and resistance.

- It was also noted that a higher baseline FACIT-TB score prior to infection related to a higher health related quality of life with the disease.

4) A cross-sectional prevalence study of 425 randomly chosen participants from 5 prisons in Pakistan. 48% of those randomly chosen tested positive for latent TB by TST (also called Mantoux test).

- Factors such as age, educational level, smoking status, duration of current incarceration and average accommodation space less than 60 ft² were predictors of poor outcome and high rates of infectivity.

1) A cross-sectional survey analysis using selected data collection tools such as

- A Socio-Demographic Questionnaire;

- A Post-Traumatic-Stress Disorder Identification Test

- self-reporting of tobacco use

- self-reporting of perceived health and adherence.

The study investigated the predictors of treatment outcome in 2 groups of patient; those on anti-TB medication (n = 3107) and those on anti-retroviral and anti-TB patients (N = 757) across 14 health facilities in South Africa.

- Significant predictors of poor outcome in both dual therapy and just anti-TB groups were poverty, comorbidities, alcohol misuse and partner who is HIV positive.

- Significant predictors of better outcomes in both dual therapy and just the anti-TB groups that lead to better adherence and less severe disease were to perceive health status as poor, perceive health status as good, HIV negative status, sex partner on anti-retroviral.

- Authors found that a great deal of stigmatisation may deter patients to seek treatment.