Drug resistance profile of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and predictors associated with the development of drug resistance

Abstract Background Drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) is a major challenge to National TB Control Program in developing countries. In Punjab, the extent and development of DR-TB is not well known. Objective The current study was conducted to assess incidence and predictors of drug resistant TB in Punjab, Pakistan. Methods Drug susceptibility testing (DST) was performed for 863 confirmed culture-positive Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) isolates by using proportion method. Patients were enrolled in the programmatic management of drug resistant TB (PMDT) unit, Gulab Devi chest hospital Lahore, Pakistan from August 2011 to September 2013. The analysis was performed using statistical software SPSS version 20. For the assessment of risk factors Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed. Results Resistance to at least one drug was 302 (35%), while MDR-TB patients were 259 (30%). The ratio of females was relatively higher (n = 167, 55.3%) than males. Majority of the patients were residing in rural areas (n = 229, 75.8%). Significant predictors of DR-TB were those peoples; age 18-45 years, previous TB treatment, rural residence, housewife, being married, the duration of sickness more than 1 year and unemployed peoples. Conclusion It is concluded from the study that the problem of DR-TB cases in Pakistan is significant. The strongest risk factors were young age peoples and previously treated patients. Being married, housewife, rural residence area, and unemployed peoples were also risk factors, which climax an urgent need for effective control, early diagnosis and treatment policies for DR-TB.