ETD Collection

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  • Item
    Risk factors associated with TB incidence in an adult population from poorly resourced South African urban communities with a high TB prevalence
    (2011-03-10) Ncayiyana, Jabulani Ronnie
    Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) persists as a serious global public heath problem of a magnitude requiring urgent attention. The increase in new cases of TB in African countries where the prevalence of HIV is relatively low has been associated with other host and environmental factors. There is little or no comparable data on the association between host and environmental related factors and TB incidence in low HIV prevalence regions of South Africa. Objectives: This study aims to investigate host and environmental factors associated with incident TB in one region of South Africa. Methods: 3493 TB-free participants were recruited, and baseline data collected at the beginning of 2003 in the Lung Health Study in Ravensmead and Uitsig, Cape Town, South Africa. The TB register was used to identify new cases among the 3493 participants between 2003 and 2007. Results: Of the 3493 study participants, 109 developed TB; i.e. 57 males and 52 females. The incidence of TB in the Ravensmead and Uitsig study population was 632 per 100 000. Cohabiting, OR= 2.09 (95% CI= 1.05 - 4.17), smoking, OR= 2.19 (95% CI= 1.48 - 4.14), and history of imprisonment OR= 1.88 (95% CI= 1.09 - 3.23) were all statistically associated with TB incidence in multiple logistic regression models. The summary population attributable fraction for these three factors was 53.2%. Conclusions: TB incidence was high in this community. Cigarette smoking was one of the most important predictors of TB incidence, and the proportion of smokers in this population was relatively high. TB control and prevention strategies need to focus on interventions which will reduce or limit the impact of TB risk factors.
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    Adrenal function in hospitalised patients with pulmonary tuberculosis treated with rifampicin
    (2009-02-13T08:49:51Z) Venter, Willem Daniel Francois
    Abstract Introduction: Tuberculosis carries a high mortality in the days immediately after treatment. It is also the commonest cause of adrenal insufficiency in the developing world. Rifampicin is a potent hepatic enzyme inducer, and may contribute to adrenal insufficiency by accelerating cortisol breakdown. The aim of the study was to determine whether rifampicin induced accelerated catabolism of corticosteroids. Methods: A prospective, randomised study comparing adrenal function in 20 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis in the first five days treated with two different antituberculosis regimens, one containing rifampicin, and the other ciprofloxacin. Results: Demographic, clinical and laboratory results were similar in both groups. Both groups showed a statistically significant and similar decrease in morning cortisol, with similar responses to ACTH stimulation at both 30 and 60 minutes before and after four days of treatment. In the entire cohort, 40% demonstrated an incremental cortisol rise of <250nmol/l after ACTH stimulation on day 1. Mean basal cortisol concentrations were substantially elevated and DHEA-S levels were consistently subnormal, resulting in a high cortisol:DHEA-S ratio. No patient demonstrated overt adrenal insufficiency. There were no significant differences between the two groups before or during therapy for any electrolytes, hormones or calculated serum osmolality. Conclusions: Rifampicin did not additionally impair adrenocortical function during the initial period of therapy.
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    Managing multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in hospitalized patients at Sizwe Tropical Diseases Hospital: A five year review of treatment outcomes
    (2006-10-25T08:08:55Z) Njaramba, Peter
    Management of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is more expensive, lengthy and is associated with less favourable outcomes and more adverse reactions than management of susceptible tuberculosis. The aim of this study was to review the management and treatment outcomes of registered MDR-TB patients hospitalized at Sizwe hospital during a five-year period. A cross-sectional study with both descriptive and analytic features was done on 237 MDR-TB patients hospitalized from the beginning of June 1998 to the end of May 2003. Data were analysed using SPSS version 12 Software. Main outcome measures were interim treatment outcomes at the end of hospitalization period. These outcomes comprised culture conversion rates, time to culture conversion, transfer out, interruption, and death rates. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to determine risk factors for poor treatment outcomes. These poor outcomes were defined as treatment interruption, failure and mortality rates. The burden of institutional care for MDR-TB patients in this setting was found to involve high numbers of MDR-TB patients for whom the allocated hospital beds were insufficient. Patients with primary MDR-TB, who had no history of nonadherence to treatment, were paradoxically more likely to be hospitalized shortly after diagnosis. Acquired MDR-TB patients were mostly managed as outpatients immediately after diagnosis only to be hospitalized later due to persistent nonadherence or disease severity. Overall, acquired MDR-TB patients were hospitalized in larger numbers than those with primary disease. This reflects the higher prevalence of acquired MDR-TB compared to primary MDR-TB. Page v Abstract Culture turnaround time was on average 19 days. The overall culture conversion rate of the hospitalized patients was low at 41.9 percent. This low culture conversion rate resulted in protracted hospitalization periods and high interim mortality rates. The mean duration of hospitalization, 3.52 months, correlated favourably with the time interval to the first culture conversion of 2.96 months. Hospitalization did not guarantee the expected adherence to treatment. Surgical interventions were done belatedly with resultant high mortality outcomes. The main reasons given by patients for refusing hospital treatment were visiting traditional healers, solving socioeconomic problems and attending to family matters. A large percentage of hospitalized patients were co-infected with HIV. HIV care and support was incomplete as antiretroviral drugs were not available at the hospital. Among the main findings of the study was the powerful influence HIV status had on poor hospitalization outcomes. Recommendations arising from the study include the need to provide ARVs at the Sizwe hospital. Admission and discharge guidelines aimed at ensuring adequate beds are reserved for deserving patients should be formulated. Continuing education for service providers must be encouraged and rewarded. Infection control procedures at both community and health institution level ought to be vigorously promoted. Patients known to be hopelessly non-adherent should at least be partially hospitalized in the interest of public health.