Zen Ahmad1, Alwi Shahab1, Mohamad Zacky Amirullah1, Erial Bahar1
1Departemen Ilmu Kesehatan Penyakit Dalam, Fakultas Kedokteran, Universitas Sriwijaya, Palembang

Abstract

Background: Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB) is a form of tuberculosis infection caused by mycobacterium strains that are resistant to at least two of the main first-line drugs, i.e. isoniazid and rifampicin. In general, MDR TB treatment success rate in Indonesia is only 47%. One of the factors that may influence the treatment outcomes is Diabetes Mellitus (DM). Early sputum culture conversion was associated with better treatment outcomes compared to late sputum culture conversion. Late sputum culture conversion is associated with poor outcomes and increased mortality rate (50%-80%).
Objective: This study aimed to assess the effects of DM on early sputum culture conversion among MDR TB patient who received short-term regimen therapy.
Methods: This was a retrospective cohort observational analytical study conducted at Borang MDR TB of Mohammad Hoesin General Hospital Palembang from April 2019 to January 2020.
Results: A total of 91 participants were included in the study with DM prevalence of 27%. Early sputum culture conversion was found in 11 subjects with DM (44%) and in 45 non-DM subjects (68%). Analysis results showed that MDR TB patient with DM has 2,7 times of having late sputum culture conversion (RR 2,7; 95% CI, 1,061 – 7,013, p= 0.037) compared to non-DM counterpart. Conclusion: Diabetes Mellitus affects sputum culture conversion among MDR TB patients receiving short-term regimen therapy at Mohammad Hoesin General Hospital Palembang.
Keywords: multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, diabetes mellitus, sputum culture conversion.