<p>Prevalence and Determinants of Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis in Makkah, Saudi Arabia</p>

Abstract

Background and Objectives Tuberculosis (TB) is a global public health issue. The emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) TB has further complicated the situation in the form of poor treatment outcomes and costs to individuals and health-care systems. We therefore aimed to measure the prevalence and associated risk factors of MDR TB among TB patients in Makkah city. Patients and Methods This was a cross-sectional study conducted at Al-Noor Specialist Hospital, a public-sector hospital in Makkah. We included records of 158 confirmed TB patients from the list of all patients admitted in the hospital from January 2009 to January 2019 by systematic random sampling. Data were collected on socio-demographics, clinical profile and drug resistance patterns. Analysis was done in SPSS version 21.0. Results The mean age of the participants was 43.4 ± 18.7 years, and two-thirds (66.5%) were male. About 40% of the patients had chronic disease while lung disease other than TB was present in 5% patients. About 13% of cases were extrapulmonary infections. Prevalence of drug resistance was found to be 17.1% among TB patients. Among the resistant cases, streptomycin (25.9%) and isoniazid (11.1%) were the drugs most commonly affected by resistance. Prevalence of MDR TB was 5% among TB patients. Age, smoking, lung disease and previous TB were significant factors associated with MDR TB. Conclusion Prevalence of MDR TB, although comparable to current national estimates, is higher compared to previous reports. There is a need to reduce this burden through strengthening TB control programs to prevent further emergence of a public health threat of MDR TB. History of previous TB was the strongest risk factor in this study. This calls physicians, program managers and policy makers to focus on counselling and support of TB patients for compliance with the regimen to complete treatment without interruption.

Drug Resistance to Anti-Tuberculosis Drugs: A Cross-Sectional Study From Makkah, Saudi Arabia

“…With regard to Makkah, only one study thus far has endeavored to examine the prevalence and determinants of MDR-TB [ 13 ]. This study was a single-center experience from the Al-Noor Specialist Hospital, reporting only a total of 158 patients.…”

“…This study was a single-center experience from the Al-Noor Specialist Hospital, reporting only a total of 158 patients. This study revealed that the prevalence rate of MDR-TB was 5% [ 13 ]. Moreover, this study demonstrated that age, lung disease, and a previous history of TB were substantial factors correlated with MDR-TB [ 13 ].…”

“…This study revealed that the prevalence rate of MDR-TB was 5% [ 13 ]. Moreover, this study demonstrated that age, lung disease, and a previous history of TB were substantial factors correlated with MDR-TB [ 13 ]. Our present study is characterized by a larger sample size and a more holistic representation of Makkah population, as data were derived from the registry of the Central TB Laboratory in Makkah.…”

“…Sambas et al [ 13 ] revealed that age, lung disease, and a previous history of TB were substantial factors correlated with MDR-TB among patients from Makkah. However, these observations did not occur in our study.…”

“…Thus, it is critical to explore the prevalence and patterns of MDR-TB in this vulnerable city. So far, only one study has aimed to explore the prevalence and determinants of MDR-TB in Makkah [ 13 ]. This study was conducted at the Al-Noor Specialist Hospital and evaluated the records of only 158 patients with TB-confirmed cases.…”