Prevalence of MDR-TB in Patients of Pulmonary Tuberculosis at a DHQ Hospital

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of MDR-TB in patients clinically diagnosed as pulmonary tuberculosis.

Study type, settings & duration: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at tuberculosis clinic, Chest Medicine Department at DHQ Hospital Khanewal in collaboration with Department of Microbiology, Government College University Faisalabad from February 2020 to October 2020.  

Methodology: After taking informed consent, 200 clinically diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis patients were included. Demographic data was recorded and 3 early morning sputum samples were obtained from each patient to be assessed by GeneXpert-PCR. For statistical analysis, SPSS Version 20 was used. For quantitative variables, mean ± SD were calculated. For qualitative variables, percentages and frequencies were calculated. Effect modifiers and confounders were controlled through stratification and chi square test applied with p-value ≤0.05 significant.

Results: Mean age was 46±11.3 years with 104 (52.0%) males. Seventy-three (36.5%) were urban residents while 127 (63.5%) belonged to rural areas. Regarding sample consistency, 107 (53.5%) were mucopurulent, 34 (17.0%) purulent and 59 (29.5%) salivary consistency. Using GeneXpert-PCR, 80 (40.0%) patients were positive for tuberculosis. Rifampicin resistance was seen in 9 (4.5%) patients.

Conclusion: More than two-third patients (40.0%) tested positive for tuberculosis using GeneXpert-PCR and rifampicin resistance was seen in 4.5%. It is important to diagnose such infections timely and to check anti-mycobacterium drug statuses for its treatment to prevent excessive use of drugs and to reduce disease morbidity and mortality.