Management and treatment outcomes of patients enrolled in MDR-TB treatment in Viet Nam

• Published in: Public health action 2016-03, Vol.6 (1), p.25-31
• Main Authors: Phuong, N. T. M., Nhung, N. V., Hoa, N. B., Thuy, H. T., Takarinda, K. C., Tayler-Smith, K., Harries, A. D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Mdr-Tb; Operational Research; Original; Programmatic Management; Sort It
• ISSN: 2220-8372; 2220-8372
• DOI: 10.5588/pha.15.0068

Setting: The programmatic management of drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) in Viet Nam has been rapidly scaled up since 2009.Objectives: To document the annual numbers of patients enrolled for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) treatment during 2010-2014 and to determine characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients initiating treatment during 2010-2012.Design: A retrospective cohort study using national reports and data from the national electronic data system for drug-resistant TB.Results: The number of patients enrolled annually for MDR-TB treatment increased from 97 in 2010 to 1522 in 2014. The majority of patients were middle-aged men who had pulmonary disease and had failed a retreatment regimen; 77% had received 2 courses of TB treatment. Favourable outcomes (cured and treatment completed) were attained in 73% of patients. Unfavourable outcomes included loss to follow-up (12.5%), death (8%) and failure (6.3%). Having had 2 previous treatment courses and being human immunodeficiency virus-positive were associated with unfavourable outcomes.Conclusion: Increasing numbers of patients are being treated for MDR-TB each year with good treatment outcomes under national programme management in Viet Nam. However, there is a need to increase case detection-currently at 30% of the estimated 5100 MDR-TB cases per year, reduce adverse outcomes and improve monitoring and evaluation.