Loss-to-follow-up rate among tuberculosis patients registered at two tuberculosis units of ballabgarh block of district Faridabad, Haryana: A desk review

Abstract

Introduction: Treatment loss-to-follow-up (LTFU) is a great obstacle to tuberculosis (TB) elimination. Our objective was to estimate its prevalence in district Faridabad, Haryana, and to see its association with selected variables. Materials and Methods: We conducted a desk review of TB notification registers of two TB units under a district TB center, Faridabad. All patients registered between October 1, 2016, and September 30, 2017, were analyzed. Following univariate analysis, factors with P < 0.2 were included in the multivariable logistic regression model. Results: Of 999 eligible patients, 742 (74.2%) had treatment outcomes available. LTFU was estimated to be 3.5%, with cumulative incidence calculated to be 6.63 LTFUs per 100 person-years. LTFU increased with increasing age. LTFU was 5.2% (9.8 LTFUs per 100 person-years) and 0.3% (0.6 LTFUs per 100 person-years) among pulmonary TB (PTB) and extra-PTB (EPTB) patients, respectively. LTFU was higher in patients with previous relapse (9% or 14.2 LTFU per 100 person-years) and previous LTFU (16% or 32 LTFUs per 100 person-years) as compared to only 2.4% (4.7 per 100 person-years) among new patients. PTB patients and patients on treatment after prior LTFU had 12 times and 5 times higher odds of LTFU than EPTB patients and new patients, respectively. Conclusion: The observed LTFU burden is lower than the <5% target set by the National TB Elimination Program. Lack of information on outcomes under the program should be cause for concern. Special attention should be paid under the program on high-risk groups identified to ensure treatment adherence.