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In Myanmar, integrated services for tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are operated either fully (as one single unit) or partially (each vertical programme provides both services). To review the fully and partially integrated services for TB-HIV and to assess their TB treatment outcomes. We analysed the compiled service database and conducted a cohort study on newly registered TB-HIV patients in 12 townships in Myanmar. No significant association between region/state and types of integration was detected. Townships with partially integrated services had a significantly larger population size, higher proportion of urban population as well as higher TB and TB-HIV case notification rates; however, the cartridge-based Xpert ® MTB/RIF assay was used less frequently than in townships with fully integrated services. Treatment completion rate and unfavourable outcomes were not significantly different between the two models, although fully integrated services reported a higher cure rate. These mixed results suggest that during expansion of fully integrated services, the progress of treatment outcomes should be monitored carefully. .

Background: Myanmar is listed as one of the countries with the highest burden of tuberculosis and HIV infections (TB-HIV) in the world. However, the survival rate and risk factors for mortality among TB-HIV co-infected patients in the country remain unstudied. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine these factors., Methods: A 12-year retrospective follow-up study was conducted among 3598 TB-HIV co-infected patients (2452 male and 1146 female) aged 15 years and above, enrolled on antiretroviral therapy (ART) from July 1, 2005 to December 31, 2016. Hazard ratios (HR) were estimated using the Cox proportional hazards model. Survival rates at the beginning of ART were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method., Results: A total of 494 (13.7%) patients died during this period. The survival rate of TB-HIV co-infected patients was 82.0% at 5 years and 58.1% at 10 years. The risk factors for mortality were being bedridden (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 2.70, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.13-3.42), having a low baseline CD4 count (aHR 1.53, 95% CI 1.25-1.87), and being on a second-line ART regimen (aHR 8.12, 95% CI 3.56-18.54)., Conclusions: Two out of five TB-HIV patients died within 10 years after ART initiation. Current HIV prevention and treatment programs should focus more on bedridden patients, those on second-line ART, and those with low baseline CD4 counts., (Copyright © 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Setting: Two human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) clinics providing antiretroviral therapy (ART), Mandalay, Myanmar., Objective: To assess prevalent TB at enrolment, incident TB during follow-up and associated risk factors in adult people living with HIV (PLHIV) between 2011 and 2017., Design: Cohort study using secondary data., Results: Of 11 777 PLHIV, 2911 (25%) had prevalent TB at or within 6 weeks of enrolment. Independent risk factors for prevalent TB were being male or single/widowed, daily alcohol consumption, CD4 count 200 cells/μl and anaemia. During 6 years follow-up in 8866 PLHIV with no prevalent TB, the rate of new TB was 2.9 per 100 person-years (95%CI 2.6-3.1). Cumulative TB incidence was 9.6%, with 370 (72%) of 517 new TB cases occurring in the first year. Independent risk factors for incident TB were being male and anaemia. Incident TB was highest in the first year of ART, in PLHIV with CD4 counts 200 cells/μl and those not receiving isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT). Incident TB declined with time on ART and rising CD4 counts., Conclusion: Prevalent and incident TB were high in PLHIV in the Mandalay clinics. Consideration should be given to earlier TB diagnosis using more sensitive diagnostic tools, effective ART and scaling up IPT.

Setting: Myanmar, a country with a high human immunodeficiency virus-tuberculosis (HIV-TB) burden, where the tuberculin skin test or interferon-gamma release assays are not routinely available for the diagnosis of latent tuberculous infection., Objective: To assess the effect of isoniazid (INH) preventive therapy (IPT) on the risk of TB disease and mortality among people living with HIV (PLHIV)., Design: A retrospective cohort study of routinely collected data on PLHIV enrolled into care between 2009 and 2014., Results: Of 7177 patients (median age 36 years, interquartile range 31-42; 53% male) included in the study, 1278 (18%) patients received IPT. Among patients receiving IPT, 855 (67%) completed 6 or 9 months of INH. Patients who completed IPT had a significantly lower risk of incident TB than those who never received IPT (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.21, 95%CI 0.12-0.34) after controlling for potential confounders. PLHIV who received IPT had a significantly lower risk of death than those who never received IPT (PLHIV who completed IPT, aHR 0.25, 95%CI 0.16-0.37; those who received but did not complete IPT, aHR 0.55, 95%CI 0.37-0.82)., Conclusion: Among PLHIV in Myanmar, completing a course of IPT significantly reduced the risk of TB disease, and receiving IPT significantly reduced the risk of death.