Tuberculosis treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic: actions offered and case profile.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association between the provision of tuberculosis treatment actions and the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of cases during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHOD: Cross-sectional study conducted with data from secondary sources of 134 tuberculosis cases that underwent treatment in 2020 in the city of Pelotas, RS, Brazil. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: The least frequently offered actions in the period were: three or more control smear microscopies (12.7%), smear microscopy at the end of treatment (16.7%), chest X-ray at sixth month (48.5%) and sputum culture (49%). The number of medical and nursing consultations did not reach six in 52.9% and 83.3% of cases, respectively. The lower offer of treatment actions was associated with: retreatment (p<0.001); comorbidities (p=0.023); HIV infection (p<0.001); mental disorder (p=0.013); illicit substance use (p=0.018); normal chest X-ray (p=0.024); and special treatment regimen (p=0.009). CONCLUSION: After the COVID-19 pandemic, it is essential to invest in cases follow-up, especially those undergoing retreatment, with comorbidities, drug use, normal chest X-ray results, and special treatment regimens.

Tuberculosis treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic: actions offered and case profile / Tratamiento de Tuberculosis durante Pandemia de COVID 19: acciones ofrecidas y perfil de casos / Tratamento da tuberculose durante a pandemia de COVID-19: ações ofertadas e perfil dos casos

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the association between the provision of tuberculosis treatment actions and the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of cases during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: Cross-sectional study conducted with data from secondary sources of 134 tuberculosis cases that underwent treatment in 2020 in the city of Pelotas, RS, Brazil. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and Fisher's exact test. Results: The least frequently offered actions in the period were: three or more control smear microscopies (12.7%), smear microscopy at the end of treatment (16.7%), chest X-ray at sixth month (48.5%) and sputum culture (49%). The number of medical and nursing consultations did not reach six in 52.9% and 83.3% of cases, respectively. The lower offer of treatment actions was associated with: retreatment (p<0.001); comorbidities (p=0.023); HIV infection (p<0.001); mental disorder (p=0.013); illicit substance use (p=0.018); normal chest X-ray (p=0.024); and special treatment regimen (p=0.009). Conclusion: After the COVID-19 pandemic, it is essential to invest in cases follow-up, especially those undergoing retreatment, with comorbidities, drug use, normal chest X-ray results, and special treatment regimens.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Analizar la asociación entre la oferta de acciones de tratamiento para tuberculosis con las características sociodemográficas y clínicas de los casos durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Método: Estudio transversal realizado con datos de fuente secundaria de 134 casos de tuberculosis que realizaron tratamiento en 2020 en Pelotas-RS. Los datos fueron analizados por estadística descriptiva, Chi-cuadrado y prueba exacta de Fisher. Resultados: Las acciones ofertadas en el periodo fueron: radiografía de tórax al sexto mes (48,5%), cultivo de esputo (49%), tres o más microscopía de frotis (12,7%) y microscopía al final del tratamiento (16,7%). El número de consultas médicas y de enfermería no alcanzó seis en 52,9% y 83,3% de los casos, respectivamente. La menor oferta de acciones de tratamiento se asoció a: retratamiento (p=0,001); comorbilidades (p=0,023); VIH (p<0,001); trastorno mental (p=0,013); uso de sustancias ilícitas (p=0,018); resultado normal de la radiografía de tórax (p=0,024); y régimen especial de tratamiento farmacológico (p=0,009). Conclusión: Después de la pandemia de COVID-19, es esencial invertir en el seguimiento de los casos, especialmente aquellos en retratamiento, con comorbilidades, radiografía normal y régimen de tratamiento especial.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar a associação entre a oferta de ações de tratamento para tuberculose com as características sociodemográficas e clínicas dos casos durante a pandemia da COVID-19. Método: Estudo transversal, realizado com dados de fontes secundárias de 134 casos de tuberculose que realizaram tratamento em 2020 em Pelotas-RS. Os dados foram analisados por estatística descritiva, teste Qui-quadrado e exato de Fisher. Resultados: As ações menos ofertadas no período foram: três ou mais baciloscopia de controle (12,7%), baciloscopia ao final do tratamento (16,7%), radiografia de tórax no sexto mês (48,5%) e cultura de escarro (49%). O número de consultas médicas e de enfermagem não atingiram seis em 52,9% e 83,3% dos casos, respectivamente. A menor oferta de ações de tratamento esteve associada à: retratamento (p<0,001); comorbidades (p=0,023); infecção por HIV (p<0,001); transtorno mental (p=0,013); uso de substâncias ilícitas (p=0,018); imagem de tórax normal (p=0,024); e esquema especial de tratamento (p=0,009). Conclusão: Após a pandemia da COVID-19, é imprescindível investir no acompanhamento dos casos, principalmente daqueles em retratamento, com comorbidades, uso de drogas, radiografia normal e esquema especial de tratamento.