Characteristics of drug resistant tuberculosis in georgia (2015-2020).

The aim of the study was to assess general characteristics of drug resistant tuberculosis and its association with treatment outcomes in Georgia. A retrospective cohort study was conducted among 1581 DR-TB adult (18+) patients, from 2015 - 2020 cohorts, whose anti-tuberculosis treatment outcomes was known. Adjusted analysis of the study participants data [1581 (100%)] shows significant association of a successful TB treatment outcome with the "Female gender" (adjusted OR 1.78, 95% CI: 1.33 - 2.39, p<0.001), "New TB case" (adjusted OR 2.34, 95% CI: 1.88-2.91, p<0.001) and with "HIV negative status" (OR 2.33; 95% CI 1.53-3.55; p<0.001). Based on bivariate and multivariate analysis of the study data, the significant association of a treatment outcome with other key factors, including "New drugs in the regimen" was not found. Since the programmatic using of the new effective DR-TB regimens are widely recommended only from 2019, the treatment outcomes of all patients on these regimens are still not defined. Further studies are necessary to assess complete data of the patients on new DR-TB regimens and its association with the treatment outcomes.