A Retrospective Study on Effectiveness and Outcome of Shorter Oral Bedaquiline-containing Multidrug-resistant/Rifampicin-resistant Tuberculosis Regimen under Programmatic Conditions in Srikakulam

Background: As India is marching and striving toward the goal of tuberculosis (TB) elimination, multidrug-resistant TB is a big hurdle that we need to carefully consider to improve treatment outcome along with reduction of social stigmatization. In contrast to earlier regimens that contained injectable drugs, the World Health Organization has recommended all-oral regimens for the treatment of Multidrug-Resistant/Rifampicin-Resistant-TB since 2018, which represents a significant advancement. Aims and Objectives: The present study aims to retrospectively analyze the effectiveness and outcome of this regimen in Srikakulam district under the programmatic conditions from 2022 to 2024. Materials and Methods: The present study is an observational study of the newly introduced shorter oral bedaquiline (BDQ) regimen for the past 2 years in our facility. The data extracted from the medical records under National TB Elimination Programme for shorter oral BDQ-based regimen from 2022 to 2024. Results: About 90% of cases had successful outcome. The mean age of the study population was 48.90 ± 16.37 years. Eighty-five percentage cases reported culture negative at the end of 6th month and followed till the end of treatment. Ninety percentage of cases had successful outcome. Conclusion: Adherence to treatment, nutritional support, regular follow-ups, regular counseling toward drug adherence and fear of social stigmatization, and manageable side effects without treatment interruption resulted in successful outcomes with shorter BDQ regimen in the present study. Overall success rate with 9–11 months shorter BDQ regimen is higher compared to 18–20 months all oral regimen with lesser side effects and good adherence to treatment.