Tuberculosis treatment outcomes in Europe: a systematic review.
Eur Respir J
; 26(3): 503-10, 2005 Sep.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-16135735
ABSTRACT
In order to facilitate the control of tuberculosis (TB), the World Health Organization (WHO) has defined a standardised short-course chemotherapy and a strategy, directly observed therapy. In 2000, WHO surveillance of TB treatments in Europe recorded a successful outcome rate of 77%. The aim of this report is to estimate treatment outcomes in European countries based on published studies and to identify their determinants. A systematic review was conducted of published reports of TB treatment outcomes in Europe. Meta-analysis, meta-regression and subgrouping were used to pool treatment outcomes and analyse associations with mean age, sex, immigration status and multidrug resistance. Of the 197 articles identified in the search, 26 were eligible for the review; 74.4% of outcomes were successful, 12.3% were unsuccessful and 6.8% of patients died. Heterogeneity was high for all outcomes. National estimates were possible for six countries. Multidrug resistance was inversely associated with successful outcome, which were fewer in populations with >9% multidrug-resistant TB, and in patients aged <44 yrs. Successful tuberculosis treatment outcomes were below the 85% threshold suggested by the World Health Organization. There was an inverse association with levels of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. The unexplained heterogeneity between the studies for unsuccessful outcomes seems to be due to differing interpretations given to World Health Organization definitions.
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Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Tuberculosis
/
Antitubercular Agents
Type of study:
Prognostic_studies
/
Systematic_reviews
Limits:
Adult
/
Humans
/
Middle aged
Country/Region as subject:
Europa
Language:
En
Journal:
Eur Respir J
Year:
2005
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country: