Risk factors associated with recurrence of tuberculosis at the Chest Clinic, Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab II Kota Bharu Malaysia

• Main Authors: Myat Moe, Thwe Aung, Mainul, Haque, Mohamed Rusli, Abdullah
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2015
• Subjects: R Medicine (General)
• Online Access: http://eprints.unisza.edu.my/6695/1/FH02-FP-15-03928.jpg; http://eprints.unisza.edu.my/6695/
• Institution: Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) was the disease with the second highest incidence rate and caused the highest mortality rate among communicable diseases in Malaysia. Current study wants to identify the associated factors of recurrence among TB patients. Methods: A retrospective record review study of 114 patients registered as recurrent TB cases attending the Chest Clinic of Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab II (HRPZ II), Kelantan, Malaysia within January 2003 to December 2009 were conducted. The Cox Proportional Hazards Regression analysis was used. Results: After adjustment of other potential confounding variables, the alcoholism (adjusted Hazard ratio [aHR]: 24.53, 95% CI:1.96,306.29), the sputum smear result at the initial diagnosis of previous occurrence of TB (aHR: 4.09, 95% CI:1.52,11.02) were more likely to have recurrent TB whereas the treatment regimen with twice weekly doses of Streptomycin (S), Isoniazid (H) and Rifampicin (R) drugs (S2H2R2) during the continuation phase (aHR: 0.11,95% CI:0.02,0.54)was found as a significant protective factor for recurrent TB. Conclusion: The recurrent TB cases can be reduced by treating the patients with S2H2R2 drug regimen during the continuation phase while we must be aware of hazards of recurrent TB for alcoholics and patients with positive sputum smear result at the initial diagnosis of TB.