Abstract:

Objective The aim of this study was to explore the risk factors of sputum culture conversion in patients with multidrug resistant pulmonary tuberculosis（MDR⁃PTB）at the end of the third month during treat⁃ ment. Methods A total of 249 MDR⁃PTB patients in Anhui Chest Hospital from April 2020 to May 2021 were enrolled，and they were divided into negative group or positive group according to sputum culture conversion at the end of the third month. The chi⁃square test was used to compare the factors affecting the sputum culture conversion between the two groups and multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to screen independent risk factors. Results The age，educational background，BMI，the treatment type，the use of second⁃line drugs，drug⁃ resistance type，complications and CT manifestations were influencing factors of sputum culture conversion in MDR⁃ PTB patients at the end of the third month during treatment. Moreover，the education level in primary school and below（OR = 3.963，95%CI：1.110 ~ 14.145，P < 0.05），BMI < 18.5 kg/m2（OR = 2.682，95%CI：1.255 ~ 5.730， P < 0.05），diabetes mellitus（OR = 2.433，95%CI：1.118 ~ 5.296，P < 0.05）and lung damage（OR = 3.634， 95%CI：1.684 ~ 7.839，P < 0.01）were the independent risk factors. Conclusion There were many factors affecting the sputum culture conversion in MDR⁃PTB patients at the end of the third month during treatment，among which low education level，low weight，diabetes and lung damage were high⁃risk factors. Being alert to the risk factors in the clinical work might be helpful for early identification of patients with poor prognosis and could give early inter⁃ vention thus improve efficacy.

Key words:

multidrug?resistant pulmonary tuberculosis, sputum culture conversion, risk factors