# P-1379. Predictors of Death and Therapeutic Failure in Patients Treated with a Shortened All-Oral Regimen for Multidrug- or Rifampicin-Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR/RR-TB) in Lesotho

## TL;DR

This study identifies patient characteristics that predict poor outcomes in a shortened all-oral treatment for drug-resistant tuberculosis in Lesotho.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into baseline predictors of treatment failure and death in patients with MDR/RR-TB undergoing a 9-month all-oral regimen.

## Key findings

- Radiographic fibrosis and extensive disease phenotype are inversely associated with treatment success.
- Severe lung damage is strongly predictive of death or treatment failure.
- Baseline radiographic and smear features can help identify high-risk patients.

## Abstract

MDR/RR-TB remains an important contributor to the global TB disease burden. Historically, effective therapy was hindered by prolonged regimens and drug toxicity. Recent clinical trials and observational studies demonstrated the potential of shortened all-oral regimens in improving treatment outcomes, leading the WHO to recommend several standardized 6 and 9-month regimens. Which patients are at high risk for unfavorable outcomes under these regimens is largely unknown. Here, we report clinical and radiographic predictors of treatment failure for a 9-month all-oral regimen implemented in Lesotho.

As part of the STEM-TB (NCT05871489) multinational prospective cohort study, we recruited adult participants with bacteriologically confirmed MDR/RR pulmonary TB under operational research conditions. Patients with confirmed fluoroquinolone susceptibility and no drug contraindications were treated with a 9-month regimen containing levofloxacin, bedaquiline, delamanid, linezolid, and clofazimine. We assessed end-of-treatment outcomes and performed logistic regression to evaluate baseline factors that predict death and therapeutic failure.

Of 237 participants included in efficacy analyses, median age was 41 (IQR:31-56), 70 (30%) were female, and 147 (62%) were baseline HIV positive. Clinical cure was achieved in 215 (91%) individuals, and therapeutic failure or TB-related mortality was noted in 22 (9%). Baseline patient features inversely related to treatment success included radiographic evidence of fibrosis (OR: 0.31, 95%CI: 0.12-0.81), and presence of the extensive disease phenotype (cavitary lung disease and smear grade of 2+ or greater) (OR: 0.37, 95%CI: 0.13-1.1). Severe lung damage, defined here as multilobar fibrosis with any degree of concomitant cavitary disease and smear positivity, was also highly predictive of death or therapeutic failure (OR:0.14, 95%CI: 0.04-0.53).

Combinations of baseline radiographic and smear features are predictive of unfavorable outcomes, and may have utility in identifying and stratifying patients at high risk for treatment failure. These findings contribute to the development of personalized management strategies for high-risk patients undergoing shortened all-oral MDR/RR-TB regimens.

All Authors: No reported disclosures