Retrospective evaluation of active tuberculosis cases in terms of chemoprophylaxis indication: A cross-sectional study

In this study, we retrospectively evaluated the indications for chemoprophylaxis in active tuberculosis cases and reviewed the risk of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) progressing to active disease. Along with our decisions regarding LTBI treatment indications, we aimed to determine whether there were any shortcomings in this area. This study included 422 tuberculosis patients who were registered at the Provincial Central Tuberculosis Control Dispensary and diagnosed between 2016 and 2020. This was a single-center retrospective clinical study. These patients were evaluated in terms of latent tuberculosis treatment indication criteria in the Tuberculosis Diagnosis and Treatment Guide before they became patients with tuberculosis. All radiological images of the patients were evaluated. A total of 422 patients were included in this study. Of these, 147 (34.8%) were women, and 275 (65.2%) were men. When examining the distribution of patients according to the indications for latent tuberculosis infection treatment specified in the Ministry of Health's 2019 Tuberculosis Diagnosis and Treatment Guide, it was found that 6 (1.4%) patients were in contact with infectious cases, with 3 (50.0%) of these patients under 34 years old and 3 (50.0%) 35 years old or older. Prophylactic treatment was administered to 1 patient (33.3%) in the < 34 years age group. One patient with conversion was identified in the last 2 years, and it was noted that this patient received prophylaxis. Of the 153 patients with radiological findings compatible with tuberculosis sequelae, three (2.0%) received prophylaxis. According to the tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment guide, after adjusting for patients with common criteria, 164 (38.8%) patients were indicated for LTBI treatment. However, prophylaxis was only provided to 7 (4.2%) of these patients. The low rate of chemoprophylaxis observed in our study highlights the importance of diagnosing and monitoring LTBI. The data obtained will contribute to the diagnosis and treatment of LTBI.