Association between treatment outcomes and extent of chest X-ray involvement among pulmonary tuberculosis patients under RNTCP in North India: A prospective study

TL;DR

This study found that the severity of chest X-ray findings in TB patients is linked to worse treatment outcomes in North India.

Contribution

The study identifies chest X-ray involvement and cavities as predictors of unsuccessful TB treatment outcomes.

Findings

Greater chest X-ray involvement correlates with unsuccessful TB treatment outcomes.

Cavities on chest X-rays are significantly associated with poor treatment outcomes.

Treatment outcomes were assessed after a 6-month drug-sensitive TB regimen.

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in India, with pulmonary involvement contributing
significantly to disease burden and transmission. Hence, this prospective observational study enrolled new and previously treated
sputum smear-positive patients from the NITRD DOTS area 1st September 2019 to 31st October 2019. All participants received a 6-month
drug-sensitive TB regimen (2 months of HRZE followed by 4 months of HRE) to assess treatment outcomes at the end of six months. The
study also analyzed whether the extent of chest X-ray involvement was associated with treatment outcome. Data shows that both the extent
of chest X-ray involvement and the presence of cavities on chest X-ray were found to be significantly associated with unsuccessful treatment
outcomes.