Patient pathway analysis of rifampicin-resistant TB diagnostic and treatment delays.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Barriers to the diagnosis and treatment of rifampicin-resistant TB (RR-TB) have not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to map the diagnostic and treatment delays among patients with RR-TB in China and investigate related factors.

Methods

Between June and July 2023, the diagnostic and treatment pathways of patients with RR-TB were obtained through interviews at eight hospitals across China. Information on the TB service of hospitals was collected via telephone.

Results

Ninety-eight patients were included. On average, each patient required 4.6 visits to start RR-TB treatment. The median delay from illness onset to RR-TB treatment was 238.0 days (IQR 85.8-469.2), primarily driven by the delay between TB diagnosis and identifying rifampicin (RIF) resistanc

SUBMITTER: Ge S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11827674 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature