Evaluation of Tuberculosis Treatment Outcomes

Overview

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium species grouped in the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. TB remains a major global health problem, despite the fact that there are drugs that can eradicate the infection. The study aims to describe the clinical, microbiological, therapeutic and prognostic characteristics of TB patients afferent to the SC Infectious Diseases of A.O. SS Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo of Alexandria during 2019-2022 and, secondarily, to evaluate the treatment outcomes (as defined by the World Health Organization) of TB patients afferent to the SC Infectious Diseases of A. O. SS Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo of Alexandria considering the influence of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic (pre-pandemic, inter-pandemic and post-pandemic period) and to evaluate the post-treatment relapse rate.

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium species grouped in the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. TB remains a major global health problem, despite the fact that there are drugs that can eradicate the infection. Of concern, however, are both underdiagnosis and the circulation of strains resistant to first-line therapies. Indeed, if not properly administered, TB treatment regimens are associated with unfavorable outcomes, promoting the circulation of the bacterium and the emergence of drug resistance. Monitoring the effectiveness of tuberculosis treatment is therefore of paramount importance in both clinical practice and surveillance to maximize the quality of individual patient care and the effectiveness of public health actions. The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for populations, public health departments, and health facilities worldwide, and is likely to have devastating effects on global TB prevention and control programs, including a reversal of the progress achieved over the past decade.The present study aims to describe the case history of TB patients afferent to A.O. SS Antonio e Biagio and Cesare Arrigo in Alexandria and to evaluate treatment outcomes. This facility underwent a disruption of services during the pandemic period, and also initiated in the post-pandemic period a TB clinical management service with an active retention-in-care approach, generating appointments for follow-up visits and contacting patients who did not keep these appointments.