Citation:
Coorey, N. J., Kensitt, L., Davies, J., Keller, E., Sheel, M., Chani, K., Barry, S., Boyd, R., Denholm, J., Watts, K., Fox, G., Lowbridge, C., Perera, R., Waring, J., Marais, B., & Viney, K. (2022). Risk factors for TB in Australia and their association with delayed treatment completion. The international journal of tuberculosis and lung disease : the official journal of the International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, 26(5), 399–405. https://doi.org/10.5588/ijtld.21.0111

Summary

BACKGROUND: Australia has a low incidence of TB and has committed to eliminating the disease. Identification of risk factors associated with TB is critical to achieving this goal.METHODS: We undertook a prospective cohort study involving persons receiving TB treatment in four Australian jurisdictions. Risk factors and their association with delayed treatment completion (treatment delayed by at least 1 month) were analysed using univariate analyses and multivariate logistic regression.RESULTS: Baseline surveys were completed for 402 persons with TB. Most (86.1%) were born overseas. Exposure to a person with TB was reported by 19.4%. Diabetes mellitus (10.2%), homelessness (9.2%), cigarette smoking (8.7%), excess alcohol consumption (6.0%) and mental illness (6.2%) were other common risk factors. At follow-up, 24.8% of patients had delayed treatment completion, which was associated with adverse events (34.1%, aOR 6.67, 95% CI 3.36-13.27), excess alcohol consumption (6.0%, aOR 21.94, 95% CI 6.03-79.85) and HIV co-infection (2.7%, aOR 8.10, 95% CI 1.16-56.60).CONCLUSIONS: We identified risk factors for TB and their association with delayed treatment completion, not all of which are routinely collected for surveillance purposes. Recognition of these risk factors should facilitate patient-centred care and assist Australia in reaching TB elimination.

Geographies
Australia

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