Treatment experience of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in Florida, 1994-1997

Objective: To study, the clinical characteristics and results of patients with diagnoses of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in the state of Florida. Methods: Retrospective chart review of all patients (n = 81) with diagnoses of MDR-TB in Florida between January 1, 1994, and July 31, 1997. Results: The average number of resistant drugs was 4.8 (range, 2 to 11). Of 81 patients, 46 patients (57%) completed adequate therapy, 26 patients (32%) died, and 9 patients (11%) never completed a satisfactory course of treatment. Patients who received at least part of their therapy at A. G. Holley State Hospital, a specialized tuberculosis (TB) treatment center, had significantly higher treatment completion rates (79%) than those treated as outpatients alone (48% treatment completion rate, p < 0.001), even after the exclusion of patients who were acutely ill and died, within 2 months of diagnosis. Conclusion: In Florida, a specialized TB care program for MDR-TB, including at least partial inpatient therapy, yielded higher treatment completion rates compared to outpatient treatment alone.