Factors associated with treatment success and death in cases with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in Bulgaria, 2009–2010

AbstractObjectiveTo analyze determinants of success and death in multidrug-resistant tuberculosis patients (MDR-TB; resistance to, at least, isoniazid and rifampicin) placed on treatment in Bulgaria during the period September 2009 to March 2010 using logistic regression.ResultsFifty MDR-TB patients started treatment. Male:Female ratio was 2.3:1; mean age 43years (range: 18–77); 19 patients (38%) were new; median duration of disease before treatment was 5years (range: 1–13). All patients tested negative for HIV. Eight cases had XDR-TB (MDR-TB plus resistance to any fluoroquinolone and any second-line injectable). Twenty-four months after starting treatment, 24 patients (48%) had a successful outcome, in 6 (12%) treatment failed, 19 (38%) died, and one (2%) interrupted treatment. XDR-TB cases experienced higher mortality than others (75% vs. 30.9%, respectively, P