Treatment outcomes of bedaquiline-resistant tuberculosis: a retrospective and matched cohort study
Abstract
Background: Rising prevalence of bedaquiline resistance undermines benefits from this life-saving drug for rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (RR-TB). Despite increasing awareness, patient-level outcomes for bedaquiline-resistant TB have not been well-characterised and case management poorly defined. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study with matched controls at a TB referral hospital in South Africa. Cases included patients [≥]13 years with a phenotypic bedaquiline-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolate identified between January 2018 and June 2023. Matched controls (1:1) with bedaquiline-susceptible RR-TB were selected from a prospective observational study conducted at the same facility. Primary outcomes included time to sputum culture conversion (SCC), a modified WHO-defined unfavourable outcome, and TB-free survival (alive, with SCC, and in care or treatment completed) through 18 months. Adjusted analyses used Cox proportional hazards models. Findings: Eighty-two patients with bedaquiline-resistant TB were included; 57 (70%) were HIV-positive and 17 (21%) had no prior exposure to bedaquiline or clofazimine. Bedaquiline was prescribed for 72 (88%) and meropenem (plus amoxicillin-clavulanate) for 32 (39%) after submission of the sputum sample with the first bedaquiline-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolate. At 18 months, 43 (52%) patients achieved TB-free survival; 17 (20%) failed to achieve sustained SCC, there were 19 (23%) deaths, and 50 (80%)…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cohort study, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 63 participants or records.
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