Treatment outcomes of Nigerian patients with tuberculosis: A retrospective 25-year review in a regional medical center

Introduction Tuberculosis (TB) remains a global health challenge and leading infectious killer worldwide. The need for continuous evaluation of TB treatment outcomes becomes more imperative in the midst of a global economic meltdown substantially impacting resource-limited-settings. Methods This study retrospectively reviewed 25-years of treatment outcomes in 3,384 patients who were managed for TB at a tertiary hospital in Nigeria. Confirmed TB cases were given directly observed therapy of a short-course treatment regimen and monitored for clinical response. Results Out of 1,146,560 patients screened, there were 24,330 (2.1%) presumptive and 3,384 (13.9%) confirmed TB cases. The patients' mean age was 35.8 years (0.33-101 years). There were 1,902 (56.2%) male, 332(9.8%) pediatric, and 2,878 (85%) pulmonary TB cases. The annual mean measured treatment outcomes were as follows: adherence, 91.4(+/- 5.8) %; successful outcome, 75.3(+/- 8.8) % potentially unsatisfactory outcome, 14.8(+/- 7.2) %; and mortality 10.0(+/- 3.6) %. Female, extra-pulmonary TB (EPTB), newly diagnosed, and relapsed patients compliant with treatment had successful outcomes. Adulthood and HIV infection were mortality risk factors. Conclusion The mean annual successful treatment outcome is 75.3(+/- 8.8) %. Female, pediatric, EPTB, new, and relapsed patients were predisposed to successful treatment outcomes. Lessons learned will guide future program modifications.