With the current tuberculosis medications, the theoretical cure rate can reach up to 95%. However, in reality, many tuberculosis patients undergo treatment without seeing any improvement in their condition.
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Examination for tuberculosis patients |
There are several reasons why tuberculosis treatment may not yield successful results:
Improper Treatment
Patients may self-medicate without following the guidelines set by specialized tuberculosis doctors, or they may not adhere to the prescribed treatment regimen, such as:
– Using only one type of tuberculosis medication or using 2-3 types that have already developed resistance.
– Having insufficient or no access to essential medications.
– Only using bacteriostatic drugs without adequate bactericidal medications.
– Taking medications in insufficient doses, incorrectly splitting doses, or taking the medication multiple times instead of once daily.
– Utilizing low-quality drugs and not completing the treatment duration.
Irregular Medication Use
Patients may take their medications inconsistently and arbitrarily.
Stopping Treatment Before the Recommended Duration
There can be many reasons for prematurely stopping treatment: Lack of understanding of the necessity to complete the treatment duration; after 1-2 months of treatment, patients may notice a reduction in clinical symptoms, such as the disappearance of fever and cough, improved appetite, weight gain, and a return to near-normal health, leading them to discontinue treatment on their own. Some patients might stop due to social reasons, such as financial constraints, work obligations, or the desire to hide their illness from family and colleagues.
In some cases, patients stop treatment due to insufficient medication supply or challenges in accessing medication because they live far from healthcare facilities. Sometimes, patients receive incorrect instructions from non-specialized doctors. Stopping treatment can also occur due to adverse effects or complications, particularly in older patients with a history of liver disease.
Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis
Previously, the rate of drug resistance was not high; however, the situation has worsened, and drug resistance has become a critical, pressing issue. Patients developing drug resistance often do so due to prolonged improper treatment. Resistance may occur not only to one drug but to multiple types. The increase in multidrug-resistant strains has become a significant threat to the ability to cure tuberculosis.
Immunosuppression Due to HIV/AIDS
This can be a reason that causes 50% of tuberculosis patients to remain untreated.
