Cumplimiento terapéutico y resultados del tratamiento en pacientes con tuberculosis

Abstract

Objective: To know and to evaluate therapeutic compliance and results of the treatment of patients with tuberculosis (TBC). Method: Cross-sectional descriptive study based on the retrospective analysis of clinical records from patients with diagnosed TBC in the Salamanca University Hospital between January 1st, 1998 and March 31st, 2003. 252 patients complied with the inclusion requirements, from which 150 were selected in a simple random way. For its analysis, the standards and definitions recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Investigation Unit Against Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases (UICTER) were followed. Results: Level of satisfactory results 31.3%, mortality 7.3% and potentially unsatisfactory results 47.3%. In 56 patients' (37.3%) clinical records, it was not found enough information to know the treatment's result. Significant statistical differences were obtained according to the inclusion in the risk group, co-morbility, personal/family background about the disease, and the patient's social situation. Conclusions: Current control of TBC is neither optimal nor adequate and the healthcare situation of patients with tuberculosis is, at least, improvable