Factors associated with survival of patients with tuberculosis in Lima, Peru

Although in Peru, Control Program of Tuberculosis has been successful in the reduction of incidence, morbidity and mortality, fatal cases are still observed. A longitudinal retrospective study was undertaken in a population on the outskirts of Lima between January 2000 and December 2005. Kaplan-Meier and Cox Regression analysis were used in this study. A total of 425 patients commencing tuberculosis treatment were included, with a case fatality ratio of 4.5%. Factors associated with mortality were: body mass index <18 kg/m ² at treatment beginning, HR = 4.89 (95% CI: 1.49 - 16.03) and HIV infection, HR = 5.78 (95% CI: 1.11 - 29.99); whilst education level, HR = 0.28 (95% CI: 0.10 - 0.83) was associated with survival. Amongst this population commencing treatment for tuberculosis, body mass index and HIV infection were associated with an increased risk of death; in contrast, the education level was associated with improving in the survival.