Clinical characteristics and mortality of tuberculosis among adults living with HIV/AIDS: A single center, retrospective cohort study in Thailand.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) contributes substantially to morbidity and mortality, particularly in high TB burden countries. Our objective is to investigate the clinical characteristics and mortality rates associated with TB among adult PLWHA over a 10-year period at an urban HIV clinic situated in a high TB burden country.

Method: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in 2022. The primary endpoints were clinical characteristics and mortality rate of TB, determined as per 100 person-years among adult PLWHA, presented with a 95% confidence interval. Univariable and multivariable Cox proportional regression analyses were performed to determine risk factors for TB mortality.

Result: From January 2012-December 2022, 155 PLWHA receiving a diagnosis of TB were enrolled. The median age was 29 (26.5-48.5) years, and the median CD4 + T cell count was 141 (41.8-252.8) cells/µL, with 60.0% of patients with TB manifesting as disseminated infection. The most involved organs were pulmonary (89.7%), lymph nodes (39.4%) and pleura (14.8%). The treatment outcomes exhibited success in 63.2% of cases, relapse in 5.2%, loss to follow up in 17.4% and death in 14.2%. The overall mortality rate was 18.8 per 100 person-years. Multivariable analyses showed significant factors affecting mortality, including lymph node involvement (adjusted HR 3.5; 95% CI 1.1-10.8) and thrombocytopenia (adjusted HR 74.2; 95% CI 10.0-551.4).

Conclusion: TB in PLWHA, commonly presenting as disseminated infection, contributes to high mortality. Lymph node involvement and thrombocytopenia are significant factors contributing to mortality. Tuberculosis preventive treatment should be considered for improved prevention strategies among PLWHA, particularly in high TB burden countries.