Clinical profiles of early and tuberculosis-related mortality in South Korea between 2015 and 2017: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background Although the incidence of tuberculosis (TB) has decreased in South Korea, the mortality rate remains high. TB mortality is a key indicator for TB control interventions. The purpose of this study was to assess early and TB-related mortality during anti-TB treatment and describe the associated clinical characteristics. Methods A multicenter cross-sectional study was performed across South Korea. Patients with pulmonary TB who died during anti-TB treatment and whose records were submitted to the national TB surveillance system between 2015 and 2017 were enrolled. All TB deaths were categorized based on cause (TB-related or non-TB-related) and timing (early or late). We identified statistical associations using the frequency table, chi-square test, and binary logistic regression. Results Of 5595 notifiable mortality cases, 3735 patients with pulmonary TB were included in the analysis. There were 2541 (68.0%) male patients, and 2935 (78.6%) mortality cases were observed in patients older than 65 years. There were 944 (25.3%) cases of TB-related death and 2545 (68.1%) cases of early death. Of all cases, 187 (5.0%) patients were diagnosed post-mortem and 38 (1.0%) patients died on the first day of treatment. Low body mass index (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.26; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.08–1.48), no reported illness (aOR = 1.36; 95% CI = 1.10–1.68), bilateral disease on chest X-ray (aOR = 1.30; 95% CI = 1.11–1.52), and positive acid-fast bacilli smear result (aOR = 1.30; 95% CI = 1.11–1.52) were significantly associated with early death, as well as TB-related death. Acute respiratory failure was the most common mode of non-TB-related death. Malignancy was associated with both late (aOR = 0.71; 95% CI = 0.59–0.89) and non-TB-related (aOR = 0.35; 95% CI = 0.26–0.46) death. Conclusions A high proportion of TB death was observed in elderly patients and attributed to non-TB-related causes. Many TB-related deaths occurred during the intensive phase, particularly within the first month. Further studies identifying risk factors for different causes of TB death at different phases of anti-TB treatment are warranted for early targeted intervention in order to reduce TB mortality.

Prediction of treatment failure and compliance in patients with tuberculosis

“…Furthermore, there have been reports that BMI is inversely associated with the risk of TB [24]. Obesity presented a protective effect, while a lower BMI was associated with the development of TB [25] and higher TB-related mortality [26]. However, BMI is also associated with metabolic syndrome such as diabetes mellitus [27], so these opposite effects of BMI could confuse their role in TB [25].…”

Prediction of Treatment Failure and Compliance in Patients with Tuberculosis

“…Furthermore, there have been reports that BMI is inversely associated with the risk of TB (25). Obesity presented a protective effect, while a lower BMI was associated with the development of TB (26) and higher TB-related mortality (27). However, BMI is also associated with metabolic syndrome such as diabetes mellitus (28), so these opposite effects of BMI could confuse their role in TB (26).…”

Active Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Elderly Patients: A 2016–2019 Retrospective Analysis from an Italian Referral Hospital

“…The mortality rates of older patients have been reported as up to 51% [7]. Although these mortality rates have been decreasing recently, the rate remains high [8,9]. Moreover, age represents a risk factor connected to the development of adverse drug reactions due to polypharmacy, pill burden, existing co-morbidities, and a lower efficiency of renal and hepatic drugs clearance.…”