Recurrence of tuberculosis and associated risk factors among Non-HIV patients in Taiwan: A retrospective cohort study
Background/Purpose: Despite effective short-course anti-tuberculosis (TB) treatments, TB recurrence remains a significant public health issue. This study aims to investigate the rate of TB recurrence and its associated risk factors in Taiwan. Methods: Patients with active TB who completed anti-TB tr...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2025-11-01
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| Series: | Journal of Infection and Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1876034125002618 |
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| Summary: | Background/Purpose: Despite effective short-course anti-tuberculosis (TB) treatments, TB recurrence remains a significant public health issue. This study aims to investigate the rate of TB recurrence and its associated risk factors in Taiwan. Methods: Patients with active TB who completed anti-TB treatment from 2012 to 2019 at Taipei Veterans General Hospital were identified and included in the analysis. All enrolled cases were followed for up to 6 years to identify TB recurrence using the CDC registration database in Taiwan. The evolving trends in annual TB recurrence rates were examined. Independent demographic, clinical, and microbiological factors associated with TB recurrence were also investigated. Results: A total of 1875 patients with active TB were enrolled in the analysis. The overall TB recurrence rate was determined to be 2.0 % (434 per 100,000 person-years), with a median follow-up duration of 72 months. A notable decline in the recurrence rate was observed post-2017. The peak recurrence rate was observed during the second year following treatment completion. Independent factors associated with TB recurrence included a body mass index (BMI) <20 kg/m² (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 4.38, 95 % CI:1.70–11.30, p = 0.002), a history of previous TB (aHR 4.28, 95 % CI: 1.77–10.35, p = 0.001), and 2-month sputum TB culture non-conversion (aHR:3.37, 95 % CI: 1.36–8.38, p = 0.009). These observations were further corroborated through subgroup analyses, encompassing pulmonary TB and culture-confirmed pulmonary TB. Conclusions: The TB recurrence rate in Taiwan is low and shows a declining trend. Independent factors associated with TB recurrence included low BMI, previous TB, and 2-month sputum TB culture non-conversion. |
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| ISSN: | 1876-0341 |