A retrospective cohort study of drug-sensitive and MDR-tuberculosis outcomes in southern coastal Tamil Nadu

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be a major health problem in India. Multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB) creates significant challenges for treatment. Methods: A retrospective study took place at Government Medical College Hospital in the Southern Coastal Region of Tamil Nadu. It involved 350 patients (250 with pulmonary TB and extra-pulmonary TB, and 100 with MDR-TB) between 2023 and 2024. We analyzed data on demographics, risk factors, treatment plans, and outcomes. Results: Among the 350 patients, 60% were male, most aged 21 to 40 years. Pulmonary TB made up 65% of cases, extra-pulmonary TB 35%, and MDR-TB accounted for 28.6%. Common risk factors included malnutrition, smoking, HIV, and diabetes. The success rate for treatment was 78% for drug-sensitive TB and 62% for MDR-TB, with higher mortality in MDR-TB cases. Conclusion: Standard treatment plans are effective for pulmonary and extra-pulmonary TB, but the results for MDR-TB are still poor. Early drug sensitivity testing, better adherence to treatment, and access to newer regimens are essential for improving outcomes.