Treatment of Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis and the Associated Hearing Loss in Jos-North Central Nigeria

Tuberculosis (TB), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection and malaria are ailments with global attention. Tuberculosis is very rampant in sub-Saharan Africa. Compounding factors have presented various challenges to the treatment of this disease. This article aimed to determine the extent of hearing disorder following treatment of resistant tuberculosis and provide information to help institute preventive and rehabilitation measures during the treatment. This retrospective study was carried out in APIN clinic, set up to care for HIV and related disease management. This 36-month study reviewed the pure tone audiogram of patients treated in this hospital. Data extracted included the biodata, audiometric pattern, type of hearing loss and was analyzed using tables and simple descriptive terms on SPSS version 17. Of 108 adults consisting of 76 males and 32 females, the age ranged from 17 to 73 years. The age group 31 – 40 years (37.61%) was mostly affected. The incidence of MDRTB was lowest among the professionals in 3 (2.75%). The Marital status comprised mainly the married in 57(52.8%). Sixty-two (57.4%) were HIV negative and 35 (32.4%) MDRTB patients newly diagnosed. The therapeutic agents included either kanamycin or Capreomycin as part of the initial regimen. Otologic complaints were bilateral in 23.4% and 62.0% unilateral hearing loss respectively. Fifty nine (54.6%) had varying degrees of hearing loss. Sensorineural hearing loss in 49.54% was in majority. Forty-two patients (38.9%) benefited from hearing aids while 35.6% did not. Forty-five (41.7%) did not get hearing aids. Hearing loss from treating Multidrug Resistant Tuberculosis is a common complication and a real challenge to quality of life in our environment. The provisions for the rehabilitation in this study seems inadequate and where provided, have limited capacity to cater for profound hearing loss. Therefore there is need for interdepartmental collaboration to provide standard quality care for these patients.