Sign in Subscribe
Tuberculosis

Higher Mortality Rate Amongst Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis Patients with Non-Standard Treatment: A Long-Term Follow-Up Study in Wuhan, China

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Researchers from Capital Medical University conducted a long-term follow-up study to investigate the survival rate and risk factors among multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) patients with various treatment outcomes in Wuhan, China. The study included 555 MDR-TB patients with a follow-up time of 3846 person-years (PY). The results showed a high mortality rate, with overall mortality being 40.36% (224/555), with tuberculosis as the primary cause of fatalities.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that 40% of MDR-TB patients failed treatment, with overall mortality being 40.36% (224/555).
  • The primary cause of fatalities was tuberculosis, accounting for 76.3% (171/224) of all deaths.
  • Risk factors for mortality identified through multivariable Cox regression analysis included low education level (primary school or below: HR=2.075, 95% CI: 1.338-3.218), advanced age (45-64 years: HR=2.871, 95% CI: 1.332-6.195; 65 years: HR=4.295, 95% CI: 1.875-9.846), and non-married status (HR=3.828, 95% CI: 1.213-12.080).
  • The survival rate of patients lost to follow-up was significantly higher than that of patients with untreated and treatment failure outcomes.
  • The study's results emphasize the need for active treatment and highlight the importance of adequate mental health education after diagnosis to improve treatment adherence and quality of life in tuberculosis patients.

Statistics:

  • 40% of MDR-TB patients failed treatment.
  • Overall mortality rate was 40.36% (224/555) with tuberculosis as the primary cause of fatalities (76.3%, 171/224).
  • Survival rate of patients lost to follow-up was significantly higher than that of patients with untreated and treatment failure outcomes.
  • 2.075 (HR) indicated a 2.075-fold increased risk of mortality for patients with low education level (primary school or below).
  • 2.871 (HR) indicated a 2.871-fold increased risk of mortality for patients aged 45-64 years.
  • 4.295 (HR) indicated a 4.295-fold increased risk of mortality for patients aged 65 years or above.
  • 3.828 (HR) indicated a 3.828-fold increased risk of mortality for non-married patients.

Sources:

  • Higher mortality rate amongst multidrug-resistant tuberculosis patients with non-standard treatment: A long-term follow-up study in Wuhan, China. Journal of Infection and Public Health, 2025;18(12):102979.
  • Capital Medical University, Dept. of Bacteriology and Immunology, Beijing Chest Hospital, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Postal No 9, Beiguan Street, Tongzhou District, Beijing 101149, People's Republic of China.
  • Jianjie Wang, Shufang Wen, Yingping Zuo, Xin Ren, Wei Shu, Cong Yao, Yuehua Li, Yu Pang, and Haoran Li, et al. (2025). Higher mortality rate amongst multidrug-resistant tuberculosis patients with non-standard treatment: A long-term follow-up study in Wuhan, China. Journal of Infection and Public Health.

Read more