What happened to patients with RMP-resistant/MDR-TB in Zambia reported as lost to follow-up from 2011 to 2014?
Zambia underreported its favourable outcomes and should continue with active tracing of lost to follow-up patients
Abstract
Setting
University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, and Ndola Central Hospital, Ndola, Zambia, which implemented active tracing of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) patients reported as lost to follow-up (LTFU).
Objective
To determine:
- the number of patients treated for MDR-TB between 2011 and 2014
- the number, proportion, month when LTFU and characteristics of patients registered as LTFU
- final outcomes observed following active patient tracing.
Design
Retrospective cohort study.
Conclusion
Zambia has been underreporting its favourable outcomes for MDR-TB treatment and should continue with active tracing of LTFU patients.
This research was supported by the UK Department for International Development’s Operational Research Capacity Building Programme led by the International Union Against TB and Lung Disease (The Union)
Citation
Kasapo CC, Chimzizi R, Simwanza SC, Mzyece J, Chizema E, Mariandyshev A, Lee H-Y, Harries AD, Kapata N. What happened to patients with RMP-resistant/MDR-TB in Zambia reported as lost to follow-up from 2011 to 2014?. International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease. 2017;21(8):887–93.