Treatment outcomes of rifabutin-containing regimens for rifabutin-sensitive multidrug-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether rifabutin can improve treatment outcomes in patients with rifabutin-sensitive MDR-TB.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed on 76 patients with rifabutin-sensitive MDR-TB who were treated with or without rifabutin between 2006 and 2011.

Results: Overall, 75% (57/76) of patients achieved favorable outcomes, including cure (53/76, 70%) and treatment completion (4/76, 5%). In contrast, 25% (19/76) had unfavorable treatment outcomes, which included treatment failure (6/76, 8%), death (2/76, 3%), loss to follow-up (4/76. 5%), and no evaluation due to transfer to other institutions (7/76, 9%). Rifabutin was given to 52 (68%) of the 76 patients with rifabutin-sensitive MDR-TB. Although favorable treatment outcomes were more frequent in patients who received rifabutin [81% (42/52)] than in those who did not receive rifabutin [63% (15/24)], this difference was not statistically significant (P=0.154). However, in multivariable regression logistic analysis, use of rifabutin was significantly associated with favorable treatment outcomes in patients with rifabutin-sensitive MDR-TB (adjusted odds ratio=9.80, 95% confidence interval=1.65-58.37, P=0.012).

Conclusions: These results suggest that the use of rifabutin can improve treatment outcomes in patients with rifabutin-sensitive MDR-TB.

Keywords: Extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis; Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis; Rifabutin; Treatment outcome.