Common chest radiographic patterns and associated factors of among drug-resistant tuberculosis patients at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia, 2020

Background: Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (DR-TB) is a multifaceted public health problem. Determining the common chest radiographic patterns, degree of lung damage, and associated factors is vital in the early detection and treatment of DR-TB. Despite the availability of x ray, there are gaps in chest radiographic patterns of DR-TB disease in Ethiopia.

Objectives: This study aimed to identify common radiologic patterns among pulmonary DR-TB patients.

Method: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 182 DR-TB patients who had an archive of baseline chest radiographs at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from September 2010 to October 2020. The socio-demographic and radiographic patterns were depicted using descriptive statistics.  A multivariable binary logistic regression model was applied to identify associated variables with extensive DR-TB diseases at a p < 0.05.

Result: Out of 182 DR-TB patients, 112 (61.54%) had patchy consolidation followed by focal fibrotic changes (37.91%) and focal nodular opacities (26.92%). Of all DR-TB patients, 19% had extensive pulmonary DR-TB disease. Patients’ marital status was significantly associated with extensive (advanced) DR-TB disease. The odds of having advanced TB disease were 0.15 among those with single marital status (AOR: 0.15, 95% CI: 0.03, 0.68).

Conclusion: This study highlighted that the most common chest radiographic feature of DR-TB was patchy consolidation followed by fibrosis and focal nodular opacities. Additionally, the study showed that close to one out of five DR-TB patients had extensive (advanced) DR-TB disease. Marital status had a significant association with extensive (advanced) DR-TB disease.