Predictors of Mortality among Tuberculosis/HIV-Coinfected Persons in Southwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains the most common cause of death in people living with HIV/AIDS. The aim of the present study was to identify predictors of mortality in TB/HIV-coinfected patients. Methods: We conducted an unmatched case–control study among a cohort of TB/HIV-coinfected adults who were on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Cases comprised 69 TB/HIV-coinfected patients who died during this period. For each case, we selected 3 (207) TB/HIV-coinfected patients who were alive during the end of the follow-up period. Results: Male sex (odds ratio [OR] = 2.04, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04-4.02), being bedridden at enrollment (OR = 2.84, 95% CI: 1.17-6.89), and cough of more than 2 weeks during initiation of ART (OR = 4.75 95% CI: 2.14-10.56) were the best predictors of mortality among TB/HIV-coinfected patients. Conclusion: Mortality among TB/HIV-coinfected patients accounted for a considerable number of deaths among the cohort. Patients with cough at ART initiation and with poor functional status should be strictly followed to reduce death.