Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis treatment outcomes and associated factors at Yirgalem General Hospital, Sidama Region, South Ethiopia: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: The spread of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) poses a significant challenge to TB control efforts. This study evaluated the treatment outcomes and associated factors among patients receiving treatment for MDR-TB in southern Ethiopia.

Methods: A retrospective follow-up study covering ten years, from 2014 to 2023, analyzed the records of confirmed cases of pulmonary TB admitted to Yirgalem General Hospital, an MDR-TB treatment initiation center in the Sidama Region. To compare the successful treatment outcomes across the years, a chi-square test of independence was conducted. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with treatment outcomes for MDR-TB.

Results: Out of 276 confirmed MDR-TB cases, 4(1.4%) were diagnosed with resistance to second-line drugs (SLDs). Overall, 138 patients achieved favourable treatment outcomes, resulting in a treatment success rate of 50.0% [95% CI 44.1-55.9%]. Among these 138 patients, 105(76.1%, 95 CI 68.7-83.5%) were cured, while 33(23.9%, 95 CI 16.5-31.3%) completed their treatment. The successful treatment outcomes varied significantly across the years, ranging from 3.6% in 2020 to 90% in 2021. The analysis indicated a statistically significant difference in treatment outcomes when considering data from 2014 to 2023 (χ² = 44.539, p = 0.001). The proportion of patients with deaths, lost-to-follow-up (LTFU), treatment failures and not evaluated were 7.9% [95% CI 4.8-11.2%], 10.9% [95% CI 7.2-14.6%), 2.2% [95% CI 1.1-3.3%), and 28.9% [95% CI 23.7-34.2%] respectively. Individuals with a positive HIV status had significantly lower odds of a favorable treatment outcome [AOR = 0.628, 95% CI (0.479-0.824), p = 0.018]. Similarly, patients with a BMI of less than 18 are more likely to have unfavorable treatment outcomes compared to those with a BMI of 18 or higher [AOR = 2.353, 95% CI 1.404-3.942, p < 0.001].

Conclusion: The study revealed a concerning 1.4% prevalence of additional resistance to SLDs. The 50% rate of unfavorable treatment among MDR-TB cases exceeds the target set by the WHO. A significant number of patients (10.9%) were LTFU, and the 28.9% categorized as 'not evaluated' is also concerning. Enhanced strategic interventions are needed to reduce such cases, and factors associated with poor treatment outcomes should receive greater attention. Future prospective studies can further explore the factors influencing improved treatment success.