J Korean Med Sci.  2016 Feb;31(2):254-260. 10.3346/jkms.2016.31.2.254.

Predictors of Default from Treatment for Tuberculosis: a Single Center Case-Control Study in Korea

• Park CK
• Shin HJ
• Kim YI
• Lim SC
• Yoon JS
• Kim YS
• Kim JC
• Kwon YS

• KMID: 2360050
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2016.31.2.254

Abstract

Default from tuberculosis (TB) treatment could exacerbate the disease and result in the emergence of drug resistance. This study identified the risk factors for default from TB treatment in Korea. This single-center case-control study analyzed 46 default cases and 100 controls. Default was defined as interrupting treatment for 2 or more consecutive months. The reasons for default were mainly incorrect perception or information about TB (41.3%) and experience of adverse events due to TB drugs (41.3%). In univariate analysis, low income (< 2,000 US dollars/month, 88.1% vs. 68.4%, P = 0.015), absence of TB stigma (4.3% vs. 61.3%, P < 0.001), treatment by a non-pulmonologist (74.1% vs. 25.9%, P < 0.001), history of previous treatment (37.0% vs. 19.0%, P = 0.019), former defaulter (15.2% vs. 2.0%, P = 0.005), and combined extrapulmonary TB (54.3% vs. 34.0%, P = 0.020) were significant risk factors for default. In multivariate analysis, the absence of TB stigma (adjusted odd ratio [aOR]: 46.299, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.078-265.365, P < 0.001), treatment by a non-pulmonologist (aOR: 14.567, 95% CI: 3.260-65.089, P < 0.001), former defaulters (aOR: 33.226, 95% CI: 2.658-415.309, P = 0.007), and low income (aOR: 5.246, 95% CI: 1.249-22.029, P = 0.024) were independent predictors of default from TB treatment. In conclusion, patients with absence of disease stigma, treated by a non-pulmonologist, who were former defaulters, and with low income should be carefully monitored during TB treatment in Korea to avoid treatment default.

Keyword

Lost to Follow up; Tuberculosis; Chemotherapy; Risk Factors

MeSH Terms

Adult
Aged
Antitubercular Agents/*therapeutic use
Case-Control Studies
Female
Humans
Male
Medication Adherence
Middle Aged
Multivariate Analysis
Odds Ratio
Republic of Korea
Risk Factors
Socioeconomic Factors
Tuberculosis/*drug therapy/pathology
Antitubercular Agents

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