DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2014.v02i05.008

Pages: 1551-1554

Patients with tuberculosis require retreatment if they fail or default for the initial treatment or if they relapse following initial treatment success. Outcomes among patients receiving CAT- II regimen are sub optimal, resulting in increased risk of morbidity, drug resistance and transmission. In this study, we evaluated the risk factors for retreatment failure, default or early relapse. We also assessed the factors responsible for the poor outcome. Patients with smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis presenting for retreatment were identified at outdoor department of our college. Demographic and outcome data were collected from clinical charts and laboratory references. To identify the risk factor and cause of poor outcome, treatment records of patients were evaluated at the end of CAT- II regimen. 148 patients presenting for retreatment were included; Retreatment was successful in 78.37% of relapse case, 66.7% of default cases and 53.8% of failure cases. Retreatment failure was higher (46.15%) in treatment failure cases compare to relapse case (21.62%) and initial default case (33.33%). Young age, male, unmarried, employed who work outside appears to be the risk factors for default in retreatment cases. Low body mass Index, Treatment from Private Sector, History of Alcoholism, Poor Knowledge about Tuberculosis has unfavorable outcome. In conclusion, outcome of retreatment with CAT- II are sub optional. The patients also fail initial tuberculosis treatment are high risk of retreatment failure. Strategies to address risk factors for treatment default and to identify patients at risk for failure are important, for better treatment outcomes.