Gender perspective in tuberculosis treatment outcomes

Introduction: Tuberculosis remains a major public health challenge despite the availability of effective therapeutic regimens. Social, behavioral, and nutritional factors may influence treatment adherence and cure, and gender-based analyses help identify differences in the determinants of therapeutic success. Objective: To evaluate sociodemographic, behavioral, and nutritional factors associated with therapeutic success in tuberculosis according to sex. Methods: Analytical retrospective cohort study using an open-access secondary database including 1,248 patients with confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis. Sociodemographic, behavioral, and nutritional variables were recorded at treatment initiation, and patients were followed until their final outcome, defined as cure versus any unfavorable result. Sex-stratified binary logistic regression was applied. Results: The overall cure rate was 81%. Among men, completing secondary education was associated with a higher likelihood of cure, whereas weekly alcohol consumption, history of drug use, and underweight status reduced therapeutic success. Among women, only a history of drug use showed a significant negative association. Conclusions: Therapeutic success in tuberculosis was influenced by social, behavioral, and nutritional factors, with distinct profiles according to sex.