Abstract
Whether MDR-TB (multi-drug resistance TB) had devastated Thailand: 55 articles reviewed between 1968 and 1998Multi-drug resistant tuberculosis have been regarded as the third epidemic and become global emergency since 1993. The multi-drug resistant TB is at least resistant to 2 drugs which are isoniazid and rifampicin. The MDR-TB is uncured despite its rare occurrence. A major cause of MDR-TB is either irregular drug taking or not completing course of drug taking. In 1997, the WHO reported Thailand’s MDR-TB at around 3000 cases considered as high tendency. By December 1998, the rate of drug resistant TB was 26%, 13% to isoniazid, 12% to streptomycin, 7% to rifampicin, 7% to ethambutol and 3% to multi-drugs. Compared between 1968 and 1998, the percentages of drug resistant TB had increased for each drug. Factors related to drug resistant TB were number of lesions in lungs, family history of TB and HIV positive history while factors related to MDR-TB were history of TB treatment, TB family history and HIV positive historyThe paper recommends development of effective and continuous TB program implementation and evaluation, quality of the DOTs, quality of lab testing and its network and effective information system. In terms of research and development, factors related to treatment success for MDR-TB should be studied and treatment evaluation should be performed according to national TB control by Ministry of Public Health.
