58% of region young adults MDR-TB patients: GMCH study
The study also pointed to a gradual increase in women with DR-TB, Whereas the predominance of male patients has also been observed in all age groups except those below 18 years of age.
Nagpur: In a study conducted by the Department of Pulmonary Medicine at GMCH, it has been found that of the approximately 1,909 patients diagnosed with MDR-TB, about 58% were young adults (19–39 years old). It is also responsible for more than 50% of the total deaths due to DR-TB. Patients from the same region have been included in this study, spread over 15 years in about three five-year slabs from 2007 to 2022.
The study also pointed to a gradual increase in women with DR-TB, Whereas the predominance of male patients has also been observed in all age groups except those below 18 years of age. The number of women affected has touched nearly 40% between 2018-22 as compared to around 28% in 2008-12. The ratio of female to male multi-drug resistant tuberculosis patients was 1:2.
DR-TB is caused by TB bacteria that are resistant to at least one first-line drug whereas, in multi-drug resistant tuberculosis, more than one or at least isoniazid and rifampicin are resistant to drugs.
Before World TB Day, Professor and Head of the Department Dr. Sushant Meshram have presented the figures. Sushant Meshram, who is also in charge of the Nodal Drug-Resistant TB (DRTB) center at Government Medical College and Hospital, said that Job-related unemployment, stress, or even career issues can lead to low immunity in young adults. It helps a lot in preventing TB bacteria from causing disease.
Attributed to treatment change and failure
He has also said that most of the patients, including the children, studied, have multi-drug resistant tuberculosis which is quite worrying.
The department has also conducted drug-sensitive TB analysis for about 926 patients in the Government Medical College and Hospital TB Unit for the year 2018-2022. About 69% of patients have been cured, about 10% have died, While about 3.6% have lost follow-up and about 3% attributed to treatment change and failure.
Sushant has also said that monitoring of active cases such as management, early treatment, prevention, and capacity building of the coronavirus is also the key to eradicating the disease by the UN’s deadline of about 2030. Malnutrition, smoking, and comorbidities are the main causes of TB. Slums and undernutrition are linked to living in poverty. There is a great need to address these factors.
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