Sociodemographic, clinical and treatment characteristics and the outcome of tuberculosis cases in the pandemic

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the outcome of tuberculosis cases treated at a regional reference service in the city of Pelotas/RS during the Covid-19 pandemic. Method: Descriptive and exploratory study of people whose treatment for tuberculosis ended between June 2020 and March 2021, categorized into favorable outcome (cure) and unfavorable (dropout and death). The frequency distribution was analyzed and the chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were applied. Results: 134 people with tuberculosis participated, of which 74.6% were discharged due to cure; 19.4%, treatment abandonment and 6%, death. Most follow-up actions were below the recommended level. No association was observed between the characteristics of people with tuberculosis and the outcome of pharmacological treatment. Conclusion: A high proportion of unfavorable outcomes was identified. Access to the follow-up actions necessary for the success of pharmacological treatment must be guaranteed to minimize the negative impact of the pandemic on tuberculosis control.