Evaluation of treatment failure outcome and its predictors among pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Sharkia Governorate, 2013–2014

Background Picking up tuberculosis (TB) treatment failure cases and its determinants is urgently needed in resource-limited developing countries. This work shows incidence and probable leading factors of TB treatment failure among patients who were managed by a TB control program. Aim and objectives This study aims to promote the TB control program at the ministry of health and population (MOHP) chest hospitals, Sharkia Governorate with the following objectives: (1) Determine the incidence of TB treatment failure. (2) Assess probable factors of TB treatment failure. Patients and methods A retrospective cohort study was carried out at MOHP chest hospitals, Sharkia Governorate. The study sample included all registered TB patients ( n =480) during the study period (2013–2014). There were 30 TB patients (Failed cases) with a positive sputum smear after 5 months of treatment (Group 1). Cured cases were 384 TB patients whose sputum smear was positive at the beginning of the treatment but became smear-negative at the end of treatment and on at least one previous occasion (Group 2). Both groups were compared to evaluate leading factors of treatment failure. Results Of the 480 TB patients registered during the study period (2013–2014), the incidence of treatment failure was 6.25%. Treatment failure cases were significantly more likely to have: positive sputum smears at 2 months of TB treatment ( p < 0.01), cavities on the baseline chest radiograph ( P < 0.01), extensive disease on the baseline chest radiograph ( P < 0.001). Also, retreatment case ( P < 0.01) and CAT 11 treatment category were ( p < 0.001). Conclusion This study showed that the treatment failure rate in our locality is relatively high. Positive sputum smear at 2 months of TB treatment, radiological findings and retreatment patients were found to be predictors of TB treatment failure that should be recognized early and closely followed up.