Antiretroviral Therapy during Tuberculosis Treatment and Marked Reduction in Death Rate of HIV-Infected Patients, Thailand1

• Published in: Emerging infectious diseases 2007-07, Vol.13 (7), p.1001-1007
• Main Authors: Akksilp, Somsak, Karnkawinpong, Opart, Wattanaamornkiat, Wanpen, Viriyakitja, Daranee, Monkongdee, Patama, Sitti, Walya, Rienthong, Dhanida, Siraprapasiri, Taweesap, Wells, Charles D., Tappero, Jordan W., Varma, Jay K.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1080-6040; 1080-6059
• DOI: 10.3201/eid1307.061506

Antiretroviral therapy is associated with a substantial reduction in deaths during TB treatment for HIV-infected TB patients. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is lifesaving in patients with advanced HIV infection, but the magnitude of benefit in HIV-infected patients receiving tuberculosis (TB) treatment remains uncertain, and population-based data from developing countries are limited. We prospectively collected data about HIV-infected TB patients from February 2003 through January 2004 in Ubon-ratchathani, Thailand. During 12 months, HIV was diagnosed in 329 (14%) of 2,342 patients registered for TB treatment. Of patients with known outcomes, death during TB treatment occurred in 5 (7%) of 71 who received ART and 94 (43%) of 219 who did not. Using multivariate analysis, we found a large reduction in the odds of death for patients receiving ART before or during TB treatment (odds ratio, 0.2; 95% confidence interval, 0.1–0.5), adjusting for CD4 count, smear status, co-trimoxazole use, and treatment facility. ART is associated with a substantial reduction in deaths during TB treatment for HIV-infected TB patients in Thailand.