The Treatment of Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis in Turkey

Drug resistance has become a major problem in the treatment of tuberculosis. 1 Resistance rates in Turkey are high because treatment approaches are often inappropriate, rates of treatment completion are low, and therapy is not directly observed. Despite a relatively stable number of new cases of tuberculosis each year, resistance to rifampin is growing, as is multidrug resistance. 2 We report our experience in treating patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. Methods We conducted our study at the Sureyyapaşa Center for Chest Diseases and Thoracic Surgery, a referral center in Istanbul, Turkey, for workers and family members who receive state social and health services. . . .