Dr. V. Vinod Kumar
BACKGROUND At present, multidrug resistant (MDR-TB) is a challenge in global efforts to prevent and control tuberculosis. WHO reports estimate that 3.5% of newly diagnosed TB patients and 20.5% of previously treated patients had MDR-TB.1,2 Known risk factors for emergence of MDR TB include age, sex, number of times exposed to ATT treatment, HIV status and alcoholism.3,4,5 The aim of the study is to compare the predisposing factors towards the development of drug susceptible and drug resistant PTB among retreatment cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study was conducted among 300 retreatment pulmonary tuberculosis patients attending Government Hospital of Thoracic Medicine, Tambaram sanatorium from 2016-18. 150 patients each of drug (Rifampicin) sensitive and drug resistant (Rifampicin) TB diagnosed by CBNAAT were selected by simple random sampling. Detailed data including demographic particulars, treatment history, personal history, HIV status were collected using a standardised questionnaire and the results were statistically analysed. RESULTS Age >45 years, male sex, lower educational status, history of treatment interruption, HIV positive status, smoking and alcoholism were found to have a statistically significant correlation with the development of drug resistant TB.
