The influence of comorbidities on treatment outcomes in patients with tuberculosis

Abstract

Aim. To study the association of comorbidities and treatment outcomes in tuberculosis (TB) patients. Materials and methods. A retrospective study includes all TB patients aged 18 years and older registered for treatment in Moscow in period 2021 the end of the 3rd quarter of 2022 using data of regional epidemiological TB monitoring system, a total of 3039 patients. The frequency and spectrum of comorbidities, its impact on the risk of adverse treatment outcome (ATO) and mortality using univariate and regression analysis were assessed. Results. Comorbidities were identified in 1528 (50.3%) patients (95% confidence interval – CI 48.5–52.1); HIV infection (18.0%), chronic nonspecific lung disease (9.6%) and cardiovascular disease (8.2%) were predominant. The presence of comorbid pathology increased the odds of uneffective treatment (odds ratio – OR 2.56, 95% CI 2.22–3.03) and death (OR 2.45, 95% СI 1.67–3.59). Independent risk factors for ATO were HIV infection (OR 4.10, 95% CI 3.36–5.10), substance use (OR 2.57, 95% CI 1.70–3.66), chronic nonspecific lung disease (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.04–1.88), diabetes mellitus (OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.15–2.48), liver pathology (OR 2.10, 95% CI 1.46–3.03), mental illness (OR 2.01, 95% CI 1.32–3.06). The death rate was 13.4%; the most significant predictors of mortality were HIV infection (OR 3.89, 95% CI 2.42–6.22) and liver disease (OR 1.90, 95% CI 1.27–2.82). A comorbidome model was constructed to assess the importance of different comorbidities for patient prognosis. Conclusion. The presence of comorbidity (predominantly HIV infection and liver disease) is a significant risk factor for ATO and mortality in TB patients, which should be taken into account when organizing and providing TB care to comorbid patients.