Satti, Hind ElkheirMcLaughlin, Megan MHedt-Gauthier, BethanyAtwood, Sidney S.Omotayo, David B.Ntlamelle, LikhaphaSeung, Kwonjune2013-04-222012Satti, Hind, Megan M. McLaughlin, Bethany Hedt-Gauthier, Sidney S. Atwood, David B. Omotayo, Likhapha Ntlamelle, and Kwonjune J. Seung. 2012. Outcomes of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis treatment with early initiation of antiretroviral therapy for HIV co-infected patients in Lesotho. PLoS ONE 7(10): e46943.1932-6203http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:10579113Background: Although the importance of concurrent treatment for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and HIV co-infection has been increasingly recognized, there have been few studies reporting outcomes of MDR-TB and HIV co-treatment. We report final outcomes of comprehensive, integrated MDR-TB and HIV treatment in Lesotho and examine factors associated with death or treatment failure. Methods: We reviewed clinical charts of all adult patients who initiated MDR-TB treatment in Lesotho between January 2008 and September 2009. We calculated hazard ratios (HR) and used multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression to identify predictors of poor outcomes. Results: Of 134 confirmed MDR-TB patients, 83 (62%) were cured or completed treatment, 46 (34%) died, 3 (2%) transferred, 1 (1%) defaulted, and 1 (1%) failed treatment. Treatment outcomes did not differ significantly by HIV status. Among the 94 (70%) patients with HIV co-infection, 53% were already on antiretroviral therapy (ART) before MDR-TB treatment initiation, and 43% started ART a median of 16 days after the start of the MDR-TB regimen. Among HIV co-infected patients who died, those who had not started ART before MDR-TB treatment had a shorter median time to death (80 days vs. 138 days, p = 0.065). In multivariable analysis, predictors of increased hazard of failure or death were low and severely low body mass index (HR 2.75, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.27–5.93; HR 5.50, 95% CI 2.38–12.69), and a history of working in South Africa (HR 2.37, 95% CI 1.24–4.52). Conclusions: Favorable outcomes can be achieved in co-infected patients using a community-based treatment model when both MDR-TB and HIV disease are treated concurrently and treatment is initiated promptly.en-USMedicineGlobal HealthInfectious DiseasesBacterial DiseasesTuberculosisMulti-Drug-Resistant TuberculosisSexually Transmitted DiseasesAIDSTropical Diseases (Non-Neglected)Viral DiseasesHIVHIV diagnosis and managementHIV epidemiologyNon-Clinical MedicineHealth Care ProvidersPublic HealthBehavioral and Social Aspects of HealthJournal Article2013-04-2210.1371/journal.pone.0046943