Clinical characteristics and outcomes of tuberculosis in Douala, Cameroon: a 7-year retrospective cohort study

• Published in: The international journal of tuberculosis and lung disease Vol. 20; no. 12; pp. 1609 - 1614
• Main Authors: Mbatchou Ngahane, B. H., Dahirou, F., Tchieche, C., Wandji, A., Ngnié, C., Nana-Metchedjin, A., Nyankiyé, E., Endale Mangamba, M. L., Kuaban, C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: France International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease 01.12.2016
• Subjects: Cameroon; Epidemiology; Treatment; Tuberculosis
• ISSN: 1027-3719; 1815-7920
• DOI: 10.5588/ijtld.15.0731

SETTING: Tuberculosis (TB) clinic, Douala Laquintinie Hospital, Douala, Cameroon.OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical characteristics of TB and to investigate predictors of poor treatment outcomes.DESIGN: A registry-based, retrospective cohort study of all TB cases recorded from 2007 to 2013 was conducted. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to identify predictors of poor outcomes.RESULTS: Of 8902 TB cases included, 5110 (57.4%) were males. The median age was 33 years. The prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection was 37.6%, with a significant decline over the study years (P = 0.000). The main clinical form of TB was smear-positive TB (50.5%). The treatment success rate was 75.2%, while the mortality rate was 8.1%. The year of TB diagnosis, retreatment cases, sputum non-conversion at the end of month 2, HIV infection and HIV testing not done were associated with death. Retreatment and non-conversion of sputum were associated with treatment failure, while male sex, age, sputum non-conversion, HIV infection and HIV testing not done were associated with loss to follow-up.CONCLUSION: TB management objectives may be attained by focusing specifically on higher risk groups to prevent poor treatment outcomes.