Abstract
Background: Programmatic management of Multi-drug resistance Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) using a standardized treatment regimen (STR) is being implemented under the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) in India. Our study was undertaken to analyze the outcomes of MDR-TB patients treated at the Drug resistance centre (also known as Dots Plus Centre, DR-TB) Bellary, with the RNTCP recommended 24-27months STR, under programmatic conditions.
Methods: Patients confirmed to have MDR-TB by Line Probe Assay (LPA) method, from Intermediate reference laboratory (IRL) Bangalore, were treated with the RNTCP’s STR in a prospective field trial on a predominantly ambulatory basis. Forty three patients were enrolled to the trial from December 2012 to April 2013.
Results: At the end of treatment, 19 (44.2%) were cured, 12 defaulted, 9 died, 1 failure and 2 were under XDR TB evaluation. Thirty two (74.2%) patients reported adverse drug reactions (ADRs) which required dose reduction or termination of the offending drug. No patient had XDR-TB initially, but 3 cases emerged for XDR-TB evaluation during treatment. Before start of treatment mean body mass index (BMI) was 17.67±3.627 kg/mt2. 34 patients had far advanced lesions on chest x-ray. Outcome was better in those patients, whose tubercular bacilli resistant both to rifampicin and isoniazid and who had good adherence in the past tubercular treatment.
Conclusions: Outcomes of this small group of MDR-TB patients treated with the RNTCP’s STR is encouraging in this setting. Close attention needs to be paid to ensure adherence, and to the timely recognition and treatment of ADRs.

Key words: Multi-drug resistance tuberculosis, Line Probe Assay method, RNTCP