Title : Treatment outcomes of adult Filipino patients with drug susceptible pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis after anti-Koch’s rechallenge regimen
Abstract:
Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global health threat, affecting approximately 10 million individuals annually, with 1.5 million deaths, making it the leading infectious killer worldwide. Despite the curability of TB, data on the clinical outcomes of patients undergoing a tuberculosis rechallenge regimen are limited. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of reintroducing anti-TB treatments after prior treatment completion or failure, particularly focusing on the adverse effects associated with the Anti-Koch’s regimen. The objective is to determine the treatment outcomes of drug-susceptible pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis patients who underwent the rechallenge regimen at Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) from January 2020 to December 2024.
Method: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted, utilizing the hospital registry data to identify adult Filipino patients with drug-susceptible pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis who underwent the rechallenge regimen during the specified period. Data were organized into tables and analyzed statistically using frequency distributions and percentages, particularly focusing on the age, sex, comorbid conditions, adverse drug reactions and treatment outcomes.
Results: All cases (thirty-one patients) were reported, predominantly of males with mean age of 48. Of the patients analyzed, a significant proportion (61%) showed favorable treatment outcomes, with manageable adverse drug reactions reported in the cases. Drug-induced liver injury was the most common type of adverse drug reaction followed by maculopapular rashes.
Conclusion: The findings indicate that the rechallenge regimen can be a viable option for managing drug-susceptible TB who had adverse drug reactions during the course of treatment, emphasizing the importance of ongoing monitoring of adverse effects. Tertiary hospitals play a crucial role in facilitating effective TB management, ultimately contributing to improved public health outcomes.
