Retreatment after loss to follow-up reduce mortality in patients with multidrug/rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis

Background This study evaluated the risk factors of long-term mortality after loss to follow-up (LTFU) in patients with multidrug/rifampicin resistant tuberculosis (MDR/RR-TB) South Korea. Methods was a retrospective longitudinal using an integrated database constructed by data linkage three national databases, which include 7226 cases MDR/RR-TB notified between 2011 and 2017 Post-treatment outcomes who were LTFU compared those achieved treatment success. Results Of cases, 730 (10.1%) LTFU. During median period 4.2 years, 101 (13.8%) died: 25 (3.4%) deaths TB-related 76 (10.4%) non-TB-related. In group, adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) all-cause (aHR 2.50 [1.99–3.15], p<0.001), 5.38 [3.19–9.09], non-TB related (HR 2.21 [1.70–2.87], p<0.001) significantly higher than that success group. Independent for group age>55 fluoroquinolone resistance, cancer, no retreatment. did not receive retreatment, non-TB-related 5.00 [1.53–16.37], p=0.008) consequent 2.18 [1.08–4.40], p=0.030) received Conclusion Non-TB-related main cause death might be reduced retreatment MDR/RR-TB.