The Lancet Regional Health - Southeast Asia (Mar 2024)

Management of drug-resistant tuberculosis in Indonesia: a four-year cascade of care analysisResearch in context

  • Bony Wiem Lestari,
  • Gerine Nijman,
  • Alamanda Larasmanah,
  • Arto Yuwono Soeroto,
  • Prayudi Santoso,
  • Bachti Alisjahbana,
  • Lidya Chaidir,
  • Basti Andriyoko,
  • Reinout van Crevel,
  • Philip C. Hill

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 22
p. 100294

Abstract

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Summary: Background: In Indonesia, drug resistance testing for TB largely relies on Xpert MTB/RIF, and it is unknown what proportion of drug-resistant (DR) TB is adequately diagnosed and treated. Methods: We conducted a cascade of care analysis on a cohort of presumptive rifampicin-resistant (RR) TB patients registered in 2015–2018 in a tertiary hospital in Indonesia. Estimated incidences of (presumptive) DR-TB cases were assumption-based using global reports. Data on diagnosis and consecutive cascades steps, including their timing were collected from national electronic registers, and medical records. We described a secondary cascade for patients receiving treatment not supported by phenotypic drug susceptibility testing (pDST). Factors associated with delay and loss between diagnosis and treatment were identified using logistic regression. Findings: Less than a third of estimated incident TB cases at risk of DR-TB were identified as presumptive DR-TB case and tested, and 9.8% (982/10,065) of estimated true DR-TB cases was diagnosed. Of those diagnosed, only 45.1% (443/982) had treatment regimens supported by pDST results, but this did not significantly influence treatment outcomes. Only 25.5% (250/982) of diagnosed patients completed all steps of the cascade including successful treatment. Delays between diagnosis and treatment were substantial, and more common among those referred from a primary healthcare facility, and among those who were employed, living outside of Bandung, and reporting engagement with the private sector. Interpretation: The DR-TB care cascade in this urban setting in Indonesia is characterized by substantial attrition and delays. Strategies to increase access to DR-TB diagnosis accompanied by optimisation of clinical care could substantially improve outcomes and reduce onward transmission. Funding: Radboud university medical center and University of Otago.

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