Korean J Med.  2022 Jan;97(1):50-59. 10.3904/kjm.2022.97.1.50.

Factors Related to Successful Tuberculosis Treatment in Vulnerable Groups

• Kim Y
• Lee JY
• Jeong I
• Kim J
• Kim J
• Han J
• Jeong E
• Han AY
• Joh JS
• Park JD

• KMID: 2525377
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3904/kjm.2022.97.1.50

Abstract

Background/Aims
Although the incidence and mortality of tuberculosis are decreasing in South Korea, the number of applications for financial assistance with the cost of tuberculosis treatment made by individuals from vulnerable groups was 3.8 times higher in 2019 compared to 2017 (Tuberculosis Relief Belt Project, 2019).
Methods
We analyzed the data of patients who received financial aid for tuberculosis treatment (in the period 2014-2018) from the Tuberculosis Relief Belt Project, which was designed to assist vulnerable groups. This study analyzed 137 subjects, and the independent variables included patient factors (age, gender, nationality, tuberculosis type, number of comorbidities, and place of residence) and treatment type (outpatient or inpatient). The dependent variable was the treatment outcome.
Results
The likelihood of treatment success was significantly lower for patients with one (odds ratio [OR] 0.202), two (OR 0.147), or three or more (OR 0.070) comorbidities compared to those with no comorbidities. This was also the case for patients living alone (OR 0.097), and for those classified as homeless (OR 0.053). Korean patients (OR 8.512) had a significantly higher probability of a successful treatment outcome than foreigners.
Conclusions
Appropriate community-based management of individuals with tuberculosis from vulnerable groups, including foreigners, people with comorbidities, people living alone, and people with an unstable residential situation or homeless status, is important.

Keyword

Tuberculosis; Vulnerable populations; Treatment success; 결핵; 취약계층; 치료 성공 요인