Tuberculosis lymphadenitis and its treatment outcome in Felege Hiwot Referral Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia: a retrospective study

Background: In Ethiopia where there are limited diagnostic facilities and no strong surveillance system, the actual burden and treatment outcome of Tuberculosis lymphadenitis (TBL) is not well known. According to World Health Organization (WHO) treatment outcome is an important indicator of tuberculosis control strategy. Therefore, we conducted this study to describe the proportion and treatment outcome of TBL cases and identified risk factors associated with treatment outcome during treatment in Felege Hiwot Referral Hospital, northwest Ethiopia. Methods: We analyzed the records of 425 TBL patients registered at Felege Hiwot Referral Hospital from 2010 to 2012. Information was collected on the number of cases and the treatment outcome of patients was categorized according to the national tuberculosis control program guideline: cured, treatment completed, died, defaulted, failed and transferred out. Pearson's Chi-square test and Fisher exact tests were used to analyze the association between treatment outcome and potential predictor variables; p < 0.05 was considered to be significant. Results: 425 TBL patients were registered, 55 (12.9%) of whom were children. Of the total of TBL patients, 101 (23.5%) were HIV seropositive. A successful treatment outcome was achieved in 101 (24%) of the patients; the total death rate was 22 (5.2%). Two hundred eighty-nine (68%) patients were transferred to other clinics in the region and 13 (3.1%) were lost to follow-up (defaulted). There were no apparent treatment failures in the cohort. Conclusion: In the studied region, a rather high prevalence of TBL was documented. Unfortunately, successful TBL treatment outcomes (24%) in the Felege Hiwot Referral Hospital DOTS center were below the 85% threshold suggested by the World Health Organization. As this is a serious public health concern, it should be addressed urgently.