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The role of adherence in tuberculosis HIV-positive patients treated in ambulatory regimen

¹ Centre for Respiratory Diseases Diagnosis, Constituição and ² Dept of Hygiene and Epidemiology, University of Porto Medical School, Porto, Portugal

CORRESPONDENCE: S. Pereira, Dept of Hygiene and Epidemiology, University of Porto Medical School, 4200 – Porto, Portugal. Fax: 351 225095618. E-mail: epimed@med.up.pt

Keywords: adherence, human immunodeficiency virus, methadone, outcome, tuberculosis

Received: September 20, 2002
Accepted December 20, 2002

Adherence to antituberculosis treatment, a major determinant of outcome, is of special concern in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients. However, tuberculosis death in HIV-positive patients remains higher than in HIV-negative patients, regardless of adherence.

To assess determinants for an unfavourable tuberculosis outcome (defined as no cure or death), and determinants for nonadherence to antituberculosis treatment, 70 HIV-positive patients with tuberculosis referred to an outpatient centre were studied. Patient outcome was compared according to HIV risk factors, other opportunistic diseases, antiretroviral drugs use, current i.v. drugs use, a methadone programme participation, tuberculosis features, treatment characteristics and adherence. Adherent and nonadherent patient characteristics were also compared.

An unfavourable outcome occurred in 22.9% of patients and 32.9% were nonadherent with therapy. Nonadherence was the only independent determinant for an unfavourable outcome. Adherence was independently associated with current i.v. drug use, treatment complications and use of methadone.

This study confirms that human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients, treated as outpatients, have high rates of nonadherence and that adherence is the strongest determinant for tuberculosis outcome. Independently of the current use of drugs, a methadone programme improves adherence to treatment.