@article {Ghimiree000606, author = {Samiksha Ghimire and Samriddhi Karki and Bhagwan Maharjan and Jos G W Kosterink and Daan J Touw and Tjip S van der Werf and Bhabana Shrestha and Jan-Willem Alffenaar}, title = {Treatment outcomes of patients with MDR-TB in Nepal on a current programmatic standardised regimen: retrospective single-centre study}, volume = {7}, number = {1}, elocation-id = {e000606}, year = {2020}, doi = {10.1136/bmjresp-2020-000606}, publisher = {Archives of Disease in childhood}, abstract = {Objectives The objectives of this study were to evaluate treatment in patients on current programmatic multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) regimen and verify eligibility for the 9-month regimen and therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM).Methods We performed a retrospective chart review of patients with MDR-TB receiving standardised regimen at the German Nepal TB Project Clinic, Nepal, between 2014 and 2016. Eligibility for the 9-month regimen and indications for TDM were evaluated.Results Out of 107 available patients{\textquoteright} medical records, 98 were included. In this centre, the MDR-TB treatment success rates were 69.0\% in 2015, 86.6\% in 2016 and 86.5\% in 2017. The median time to sputum smear conversion was 60 days (60{\textendash}90 IQR) and culture conversion was 60 days (60{\textendash}90 IQR). Observed side effects did not impact treatment outcomes. No difference in treatment success rates was observed between patients with predisposing risk factors and those without. Only 49\% (36/74) of patients were eligible for the 9-month regimen and 23 patients for TDM according to American Thoracic Society guideline criteria.Conclusions Nepalese patients with MDR-TB on ambulatory care had good treatment outcome after programmatic treatment. Implementation of the new WHO oral MDR-TB treatment regimen may further improve treatment results. The 9-month regimen and TDM should be considered as part of programmatic care.}, URL = {https://bmjopenrespres.bmj.com/content/7/1/e000606}, eprint = {https://bmjopenrespres.bmj.com/content/7/1/e000606.full.pdf}, journal = {BMJ Open Respiratory Research} }