Utilization of Bedaquiline among Drug Resistant-Tuberculosis patients

Background: India has one of the highest burdens of drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) globally. The persistent spread of DR-TB is one of the most daunting problems the world is witnessing. Current regimens for DR-TB are complicated, lengthy, and expensive compared to those used to treat drug-susceptible TB, leaving patients with much less effective treatment options. Bedaquiline (BDQ) is a novel drug that has strong bactericidal and sterilizing activities against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The WHO recommends BDQ for the treatment of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) tuberculosis (TB). The objective of the study is to evaluate the utilization of BDQ among drug-resistant tuberculosis patients in a tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based retrospective observational study was conducted at the Government General and Chest Hospital in Erragadda, Hyderabad, Telangana, where suspected Tuberculosis cases are referred. All patients who were prescribed bedaquiline regimen were included in the study. Results: 23 Patients were prescribed BDQ during the study duration. The mean age of the patients was 41± 14.24 years and most of them were in the age group of 21-40 years. 15 patients (65.21%) were Males. Diabetes mellitus was the most common co-morbid condition. Two patients (8.70%) successfully completed the treatment, 3 patients (13.04%) died during treatment and 18 patients (78.26%) were still receiving the treatment during the study period. Adverse effects were documented in 12 patients and the most common adverse events were related to gastrointestinal tract. Conclusion: Bedaquiline containing regimen was well tolerated with less number of manageable adverse effects.