IMPACT OF SEASONAL FACTORS ON FREQUENCY OF TREATMENT INTERRUPTIONS IN TUBERCULOSIS PATIENTS

It has been hypothesized and investigated that seasonal factors provide impact on the treatment interruptions. Treatment outcomes of 19 923 new pulmonary tuberculosis cases with the positive result of sputum tests have been studied. Patients registered for treatment during the cold seasons (Quarters I, IV) interrupt treatment, including interruption of the intensive phase, rarer compared to the warm seasons (Quarters II, III). The least relative risk of treatment interruption is observed in the patients registered during Quarter IV compared to the other Quarters. Also chemotherapy was interrupted more often and patients migrated less when registered in Quarter III compared to the patients registered in Quarter II. The observed consistent pattern should be taken into account when planning measures aimed to increase patients' motivation for treatment adherence.