Objective: To evaluate the short-term impact of tiotropium in patients with severe or very severe COPD who complain of dyspnea despite being currently treated with other bronchodilators. Methods: A prospective study including patients with severe or very severe COPD and complaining of dyspnea at rest or on minimal exertion. Every 15 days, the bronchodilator treatment regimen was altered, from salmeterol to tiotropium to salmeterol+tiotropium. At the end of each regimen, pulmonary function tests and the six-minute walk test (6MWT) were performed. The degree of dyspnea and the ability to perform activities of daily living were also assessed. To evaluate patient ability to perform activities of daily living, we employed the London Chest Activity of Daily Living (LCADL), validated for use in Brazil. Results: We evaluated 52 patients, 30 of whom completed the study. The use of tiotropium in isolation resulted in significant improvement in dyspnea at baseline (mean Medical Research Council scale score reduced from 3.0 to 2.5) and at the end of 6MWT (mean Borg scale score reduced from 6.1 to 4.5), and the differences were significant (p < 0.05 for both). The use of the salmeterol+tiotropium combination resulted in a significant (81 mL) increase in FEV1 and a 5.7 point improvement in the LCADL score. Conclusions: The introduction of tiotropium into the treatment of patients with severe or very severe COPD and using long-acting β2 agonists improves pulmonary function and provides symptomatic relief, as perceived by patients in the short term. These results, obtained under real life treatment conditions, support the use of the salmeterol+tiotropium combination in specific treatment protocols for these patients.

Keywords: Pulmonary disease, chronic obstructive; Bronchodilator agents; Dyspnea; Activities of daily living.

Objective: To compare a once-daily long-acting β2 agonist (indacaterol 150 µg) with a once-daily long-acting anticholinergic (tiotropium 5 µg) in terms of their effects on exercise endurance (limit of tolerance, Tlim) in patients with moderate COPD. Secondary endpoints were their effects on lung hyperinflation, exercise-related dyspnea, and daily-life dyspnea. Methods: This was a randomized, single-blind, crossover pilot study involving 20 patients (mean age, 60.9 ± 10.0 years; mean FEV1, 69 ± 7% of predicted). Spirometric parameters, Transition Dyspnea Index scores, Tlim, and exertional dyspnea were compared after three weeks of each treatment (with a one-week washout period between treatments). Results: Nineteen patients completed the study (one having been excluded because of COPD exacerbation). Improvement in Tlim from baseline tended to be greater after treatment with tiotropium than after treatment with indacaterol (96 ± 163 s vs. 8 ± 82 s; p = 0.06). Tlim significantly improved from baseline after treatment with tiotropium (having increased from 396 ± 319 s to 493 ± 347 s; p = 0.010) but not after treatment with indacaterol (having increased from 393 ± 246 to 401 ± 254 s; p = 0.678). There were no differences between the two treatments regarding improvements in Borg dyspnea scores and lung hyperinflation at "isotime" and peak exercise. There were also no significant differences between treatments regarding Transition Dyspnea Index scores (1.5 ± 2.1 vs. 0.9 ± 2.3; p = 0.39). Conclusions: In patients with moderate COPD, tiotropium tends to improve Tlim in comparison with indacaterol. No significant differences were observed between the two treatments regarding their effects on lung hyperinflation, exercise-related dyspnea, and daily-life dyspnea. Future studies, including a larger number of patients, are required in order to confirm our findings and explore mechanistic explanations. (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01693003 [http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/])

Keywords: Pulmonary disease, chronic obstructive; Exercise; Bronchodilator agents.

Objetivo: Avaliar a prevalência e os fatores de risco para tuberculose (TB) infecção e doença entre usuários de drogas hospitalizados. Métodos: Estudo transversal em amostra de adictos maiores de 18 anos, internados em hospitais da região metropolitana da Grande São Paulo, com condições clínicas de responder a questionário padronizado e que concordaram em participar do estudo. A prevalência de TB infecção foi avaliada pela positividade ao teste tuberculínico (PPD) e de TB doença pelo achado de M. tuberculosis no escarro dos sintomáticos respiratórios. Resultados: Os sintomas respiratórios estavam presentes em 21,2% dos pacientes, sendo o emagrecimento e a tosse os mais freqüentes, os quais desapareciam com a interrupção do uso de cocaína. A prevalência geral de TB infecção foi de 28%. A prevalência de TB doença foi de 0,6%. Os fatores associados com PPD positivo foram: idade, cor/raça, tempo passado na prisão e antecedentes de uso de drogas na prisão. Conclusões: Não se encontrou prevalência aumentada de TB infecção e doença nesses pacientes. Adictos com maior idade tinham maior probabilidade de ter TB infecção, bem como aqueles com história de encarceramento.

Keywords: Tuberculose, epidemiologia. Pacientes internados.

Objective: To identify symptoms of dysphagia in individuals with COPD, based on their responses on a self-perception questionnaire. Methods: The study comprised 35 individuals with COPD and 35 healthy individuals, matched for age and gender. The study group was assessed regarding COPD severity; sensation of dyspnea; body mass index (BMI); and symptoms of dysphagia. The control group was assessed regarding BMI and symptoms of dysphagia. Results: The most common symptoms of dysphagia in the study group were pharyngeal symptoms/airway protection (p < 0.001); esophageal symptoms/history of pneumonia (p < 0.001); and nutritional symptoms (p < 0.001). Positive correlations were found between the following pairs of variables: FEV1 and BMI (r = 0.567; p < 0.001); pharyngeal symptoms/airway protection and dyspnea (r = 0.408; p = 0.015); and esophageal symptoms/history of pneumonia and pharyngeal symptoms/airway protection (r = 0.531; p = 0.001). There was a negative correlation between nutritional symptoms and BMI (r = −0.046; p < 0.008). Conclusions: Our results show that the individuals with COPD presented with symptoms of dysphagia that were associated with the pharyngeal and esophageal phases of swallowing, as well as with the mechanism of airway protection, a history of pneumonia, and nutritional symptoms.

Keywords: Deglutition disorders; Pulmonary disease, chronic obstructive; Pathological conditions, signs and symptoms.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of atopy and to evaluate clinical, laboratory, and radiological profiles in patients with COPD. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving outpatients with stable COPD (defined by the clinical history and a post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC < 70% of the predicted value). The patients completed a questionnaire regarding clinical characteristics and atopy, after which they underwent nasal lavage cytology, skin prick testing, chest X-rays, arterial blood gas analyses, and determination of total serum IgE. Results: Of the 149 subjects studied, 53 (35.6%), 49 (32.8%), and 88 (59.1%) presented with nasal eosinophilia, a positive skin prick test result, and symptoms of allergic rhinitis, respectively. Correspondence analysis confirmed these findings, showing two distinct patterns of disease expression: atopy in patients with COPD that was less severe; and no evidence of atopy in those with COPD that was more severe (reduced FEV1 and hyperinflation). There was a statistically significant association between nasal eosinophilia and a positive bronchodilator response. Conclusions: Using simple and reproducible methods, we were able to show that there is a high frequency of atopy in patients with COPD. Monitoring inflammation in the upper airways can be a useful tool for evaluating respiratory diseases in the elderly and in those with concomitant asthma and COPD, a clinical entity not yet fully understood.

Keywords: Pulmonary disease, chronic obstructive; Allergy and immunology; Nasal lavage fluid; Asthma; Rhinitis, allergic, perennial.

Background: The nucleoside adenosine is a potent vasodilator. Although its effect on the pulmonary arteries is well known, its influence on capillaries and veins has yet to be described. Objective: To evaluate the pre- and post-administration effects of adenosine on arterial and venous resistance in the pulmonary circulation of patients with primary pulmonary hypertension. Method: The study involved 7 patients with primary pulmonary hypertension and presenting a positive response to adenosine on the acute test. Before and after adenosine administration, arterial and venous resistances were determined by estimating pulmonary capillary pressure through analysis of pulmonary artery pressure decay curves. Results: Following adenosine administration, there was an increase in the cardiac index (from 1.71 ± 0.23 to 2.72 ± 0.74 L/min-1/m-2) and a decrease in pulmonary vascular resistance (from 2924 ± 1060 to 1975 ± 764 dynes/s/cm-5/m-2) with no significant variations in mean pulmonary artery pressure (pre: 75.6 ± 16.8 mmHg; post: 78.1 ± 18.8 mmHg), pulmonary wedge pressure (pre: 15.3 ± 1.5 mmHg; post: 15.4 ± 1.9 mmHg) and pulmonary capillary pressure (pre: 43.8 ± 5.8 mmHg; post: 44.5 ± 4.9 mmHg). The ratio between arterial resistance and total pulmonary vascular resistance also presented a less than significant variation (pre: 50 ± 15%; post: 49 ± 17%). These findings suggest that adenosine affects the capillaries and veins as well as the arteries. Conclusion: We can conclude that the adenosine mechanism is not restricted to the arterial aspect of the pulmonary circulation, and that analysis of pulmonary capillary pressure could prove useful in the study of various drugs that affect the pulmonary circulation.

Keywords: Key Words: Adenosine/pharmacocinetic. Adenosine/uso terapêutico. Blood pressure. Hypertension pulmonary.

Abstract Objective: To determine the rate of adherence to treatment with inhaled corticosteroids in patients with severe asthma, to identify predictive factors for adherence and to evaluate the relationship between adherence to treatment and parameters of clinical and functional response. Methods: Prospective cohort study of patients enrolled in the Program for the Control of Asthma and Allergic Rhinitis in the state of Bahia, Brazil. The study comprised 160 patients with severe asthma, monitored for 180 days in order to evaluate adherence (dependent variable) to the prescribed inhaled corticosteroid. Independent variables were assessed at baseline and for a six-month follow-up period by means of interviews and the completion of a standardized questionnaire. Patients recorded the missed doses in a diary. Results: Of the 160 patients, 158 completed the study. Adherence rate was 83.8%. Of the 158 patients, 112 (70.9%) were considered adherent (cut-off point: 80% of prescribed doses administered). There was a significant association between asthma control and adherence to treatment. Predictors of poor adherence were adverse effects, living far from the referral center, limited resources to pay for transportation and dose schedule. Other factors, such as depressive symptoms, religion and economic status, were not associated with poor adherence. Conclusions: Adherence to asthma treatment was high and was associated with the clinical response to treatment, in a sample of patients with severe asthma enrolled in a public program that provides free medication and the assistance of a multiprofessional specialized team in a referral center.

Keywords: Asthma; Directly observed therapy; Treatment outcome; Patient compliance; Pharmacy.

Objective: To objectively evaluate the reversal of digital clubbing (DC) in a series of surgically treated lung cancer patients, and to review the literature on the subject. Methods: Sixty-one patients with non-small cell lung cancer-40 with and 21 without DC-were treated by pulmonary resection. Eleven (18%) received additional postoperative radiation therapy. Preoperatively, as well as on postoperative days 7, 18, and 90, the hyponychial angle (HA) and the distal phalangeal depth/interphalangeal depth (DPD/IPD) ratio were determined on profile shadow projections of the index fingers. A review of the literature on reversal of DC (1954-2007) was also performed. Results: From the preoperative period to postoperative day 90, HA decreased from 200.5 ± 5.0° to 193.3 ± 6.8° (p < 0.001), and the DPD/IPD ratio decreased from 1.014 ± 0.051 mm to 0.956 ± 0.045 mm (p < 0.001) in the group of 40 patients with DC. The HA and the DPD/IPD ratio decreased in 33 (82.5%) but remained the same in 7 (1.7%), 6 with unfavorable evolution. In the 21 patients without DC, HA (184.5 ± 5.5°) and the DPD/IPD ratio (0.937 ± 0.046 mm) remained unchanged after surgery. In the literature (1954-2007), we found 52 cases, 5 of which were lung cancer cases, in which reversal of DC, observed in several clinical conditions, was explicitly reported. Conclusion: In most lung cancer patients, DC resolves after effective surgical treatment of the tumor, as can occur in patients with other conditions.

Keywords: Osteoarthropathy, secondary hypertrophic; Lung neoplasms; Pulmonary surgical procedures.

Objective: To describe the profile of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional study involving CF patients ≤ 18 years of age, evaluated between March and July of 2006 at a referral center in northeastern Brazil. Nutritional assessment was performed using Z scores for height/age (H/A), weight/age (W/A) and weight/height (W/H), as well as %weight/height (%W/H) and body composition measurements. Socioeconomic and clinical data were obtained. Results: Twenty-one patients were evaluated, 12 (57.1%) of whom were female. Mean age at diagnosis was 3.8 ± 3.9 years. The principal features at diagnosis were respiratory infection (85.7%), steatorrhea (66.7%) and nutritional deficit (47.6%). The mean Z scores for W/A, H/A and W/H were 0.73 ± 0.28, 0.34 ± 0.21 and 0.73 ± 0.35, respectively. Mean %W/H was 94.52 ± 1.58. The percentage of malnourished children assessed by Z score differed from that assessed by %W/H (nutritional deficit in 66.7% and 33.3%, respectively; p > 0.05). Socioeconomic status, clinical status and Shwachman score were better among well-nourished patients than among those classified as malnourished (p < 0.05 for Shwachman score). Conclusions: Normal nutritional status was identified based on nutritional indicators (W/A, H/A and W/H), whereas nutritional deficit was identified by assessing body composition. Socioeconomic factors proved favorable, especially maternal education and per capita income. Age at diagnosis was higher than that reported in the literature, although the Shwachman score and the incidence of respiratory infections demonstrated that the patients presented good clinical status.

Keywords: Cystic fibrosis; Nutritional assessment; Symptoms, clinical; Socioeconomic factors.

Objective: To evaluate the implications of the proportion of annual family income spent in the pre- and post-diagnosis periods in tuberculosis patients followed for after at least one year after completing tuberculosis treatment in Brazil. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of tuberculosis patients followed for at least one year after completing tuberculosis treatment in five Brazilian capitals (one in each region of the country). Results: A total of 62 patients were included in the analysis. The overall average cost of tuberculosis was 283.84 Brazilian reals (R$) in the pre-diagnosis period and R$4,161.86 in the post-diagnosis period. After the costs of tuberculosis disease, 71% of the patients became unemployed, with an overall increase in unemployment; in addition, the number of patients living in nonpoverty decreased by 5%, the number of patients living in poverty increased by 6%, and the number of patients living in extreme poverty increased by 5%. The largest proportion of annual household income to cover the total costs of tuberculosis was for the extremely poor (i.e., 40.37% vs. 11.43% for the less poor). Conclusions: Policies to mitigate catastrophic costs should include interventions planned by the health care system and social protection measures for tuberculosis patients with lower incomes in order to eliminate the global tuberculosis epidemic by 2035-a WHO goal in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Keywords: Tuberculosis/diagnosis; Tuberculosis/therapy; Costs and cost analysis; Financial stress; Brazil.

Objective: To verify if there are differences in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patient exacerbator and non-exacerbator phenotypes undergoing a Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program (PRP). Methods: A real life retrospective study included outpatients with COPD from public primary care who completed a 12-weeks PRP, three times a week. All were assessed before and after PRP using the six minute walk test (6MWT), the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea index, quality of life and Body mass Index, airflow Obstruction, Dyspnea and Exercise (BODE index). Results: A total of 151 patients were analyzed and mean age was 65.0 ± 8.1 years and mean Forced Expiratory Volume (FEV) 1% of predicted was 39.8 ± 15.9. The predominant gender was male (66.9%). Of these patients 31 (20.5%) were exacerbator phenotype There was a significant improvement in the mean distance in the 6MWT in both groups, with the largest change observed in the exacerbator group [mΔ (95% CI): 84.9 (57.1 112.6) vs. 48.6 (37-60.2) p= 0.018]. Significant reduction in dyspnea on the mMRC scale occurred in both groups, with the highest intensity in the exacerbator group [mΔ (95% CI): - 0.8 (-1.11 to 0.51) vs. -1.6 (-2.20 to -1.13) p = 0.006]. Improvement in the BODE index occurred in both groups, but the mean variation was also significantly greater in the exacerbator group [mΔ (95% CI): -1.44 (-2.17 to -0.70) p= 0.045]. Conclusion: Patients with COPD exacerbator phenotype had a greater magnitude of response to PRP (36 meters) when compared to non-exacerbator phenotype regardless the severity of airflow obstruction, also showing improvement in prognosis measured by the BODE index.

Keywords: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Phenotype; Rehabilitation.

Objective: To compare religious coping (RC) in patients with COPD and healthy individuals, as well as to determine whether RC is associated with demographic characteristics, quality of life, depression, and disease severity in the patients with COPD. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted between 2014 and 2016, involving outpatients with moderate to severe COPD seen at one of two hospitals in Fortaleza, Brazil, as well as gender- and age-matched healthy controls. The Brief RCOPE scale assessed RC in all of the participants. We also evaluated the COPD group patients regarding symptoms, quality of life, and depression, as well as submitting them to spirometry and a six-minute walk test. Results: A total of 100 patients were evaluated. The mean age was 67.3 ± 6.8 years, and 54% were men. In the COPD group, the mean positive RC score was significantly higher than was the mean negative RC score (27.17 ± 1.60 vs. 8.21 ± 2.12; p = 0.001). The mean positive RC score was significantly higher in women than in men (27.5 ± 1.1 vs. 26.8 ± 2.8; p = 0.02). Negative RC scores were significantly higher in the COPD group than in the control group (p = 0.01). Negative RC showed an inverse association with six-minute walk distance (6MWD; r = −0.3; p < 0.05) and a direct association with depressive symptoms (r = 0.2; p < 0.03). Positive RC correlated with none of the variables studied. Multiple regression analysis showed that negative RC was associated with 6MWD (coefficient = −0.009; 95% CI: −0.01 to −0.003). 6MWD explained the variance in negative RC in a linear fashion. Conclusions: Patients with COPD employ negative RC more often than do healthy individuals. Exercise capacity and depressive symptoms are associated with negative RC.

Keywords: Religion; Spirituality; Adaptation, psychological; Quality of life; Pulmonary disease, chronic obstructive.

Objective: Non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer. Most patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage, palliative chemotherapy therefore being the only treatment option. This study was aimed at evaluating the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of advanced-stage NSCLC patients receiving palliative chemotherapy with carboplatin and paclitaxel. Methods: This was a multiple case study of advanced-stage NSCLC outpatients receiving chemotherapy at a public hospital in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life Questionnaire was used in conjunction with its supplemental lung cancer-specific module in order to assess HRQoL. Results: Physical and cognitive functioning scale scores differed significantly among chemotherapy cycles, indicating improved and worsened HRQoL, respectively. The differences regarding the scores for pain, loss of appetite, chest pain, and arm/shoulder pain indicated improved HRQoL. Conclusions: Chemotherapy was found to improve certain aspects of HRQoL in patients with advanced-stage NSCLC.

Keywords: Carcinoma, non-small-cell lung; Quality of life; Palliative care; Carboplatin; Paclitaxel.

Objective: Massive hemoptysis is one of the most serious complications in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). This study aimed to evaluate the hemoptysis-free period following bronchial and non-bronchial artery embolization (BAE/non-BAE) in CF patients and to investigate predictors of recurrent bleeding and mortality by any cause. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of CF patients = 16 years of age undergoing BAE/non-BAE for hemoptysis between 2000 and 2017. Results: We analyzed 39 hemoptysis episodes treated with BAE/non-BAE in 17 CF patients. Hemoptysis recurrence rate was 56.4%. Of the sample as a whole, 3 (17.6%) were hemoptysis-free during the study period, 2 (11.8%) underwent lung transplantation, and 3 (17.6%) died. The median hemoptysis-free period was 17 months. The median hemoptysis-free period was longer in patients with chronic infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (31 months; 95% CI: 0.00-68.5) than in those without that type of infection (4 months; 95% CI: 1.8-6.2; p = 0.017). However, this association was considered weak, and its clinical significance was uncertain due to the small number of patients without that infection. Conclusions: BAE appears to be effective in the treatment of hemoptysis in patients with CF.

Keywords: Cystic fibrosis; Hemoptysis; Bronchial arteries; Embolization, therapeutic.

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics and evolution of a group of patients with positive sputum cultures for multidrug-resistant (MDR) Mycobacterium tuberculosis and treated at a referral center in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Methods: Based on the positive results in sputum cultures for MDR M. tuberculosis, 50 patients were selected, and their clinical data were obtained from the Brazilian Ministry of Health MDR-TB Database. The frequencies of noncompliance, relapses, failures and previous treatments for TB up to diagnosis of MDR-TB were compiled. The radiological patterns were classified as unilateral or bilateral, and with or without cavitation. Two years after the end of the standard treatment for MDR-TB, the outcome (cure, failure, noncompliance or death) for each patient was evaluated and reassessed every two years. The post-treatment follow-up period was eight years. Results: The mean number of previous treatments was 2.3 ± 0.9. The mean interval between the initial diagnosis and the development of MDR-TB was 2.0 ± 1.7 years. Two years after the initial treatment for MDR-TB, 2 patients had abandoned treatment, 8 had died, 18 had been cured, and 22 had presented treatment failure. The bivariate analysis showed that bilateral pulmonary involvement and cavitary pattern markedly reduced the chances for cure, with a relative risk of 1-0.6 (40%) and 1-0.7 (30%), respectively. At the end of the follow-up period, 2 patients had abandoned treatment, 9 had presented treatment failure, 17 had been cured, and 22 had died. Conclusions: Bilateral pulmonary involvement and cavity pattern greatly reduced the chances for cure of the patients with MDR-TB. Most patients who presented treatment failure died within the 8-year follow-up period.

Keywords: Tuberculosis, multidrug-resistant; Treatment outcome; Disease-free survival; Treatment refusal; Treatment failure.

Objectives: To determine whether, in stable patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, administration of theophylline in combination with short-acting or long-acting inhaled β2-agonists is more efficacious than is a placebo or each of these drugs used in isolation. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were carried out. All randomized and double-blind clinical trials found in the literature were selected. Results: A total of eight studies were included. In comparing the effect of theophylline combined with β2-agonists to that of a placebo, we found a statistically significant improvement in mean FEV1 (0.27 L; 95%CI: 0.11 to 0.43) and mean dyspnea (-0.78; 95%CI: -1.26 to -0.29). None of the meta-analyses performed detected any difference between the results obtained using theophylline combined with β2-agonists and those obtained using β2-agonists alone. When the administration of theophylline combined with β2-agonists was compared to that of theophylline alone, there was a statistically significant improvement in mean dyspnea (-0.19; 95%CI: -0.34 to 0.04). Conclusion: In patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, theophylline combined with β2 agonists is more efficacious than is a placebo in terms of improving FEV1 and dyspnea. In addition, theophylline combined with β2 agonists is more efficacious than is theophylline in improving dyspnea. Furthermore, administration of theophylline combined with β2 agonists is no more efficacious, for any of the variables studied, than is the use of β2-agonists in isolation.

Keywords: Lung diseases, Obstructive; Bronchodilator agents; Xanthines; Pulmonary disease, Chronic obstructive.

Objective: To determine primary and acquired resistance to pyrazinamide in Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains isolated in sputum samples from patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. Methods: This was a prospective, descriptive study conducted between April and November of 2011 at a referral hospital for tuberculosis in the city of Recife, Brazil. Cultures, drug sensitivity tests, and tests of pyrazinamidase activity were conducted in a private laboratory in Recife. Results: Of the 71 patients included in the study, 37 were treatment-naïve and 34 represented cases of retreatment. Pyrazinamide-resistant strains were isolated in 14 (41.2%) of the 34 patients who had previously been treated for tuberculosis and in none of the 37 treatment-naïve patients. Of the 14 isolates, 10 (90.9%) tested negative for pyrazinamidase activity. A total of 60 isolates tested positive for pyrazinamidase activity. Of those, 56 (93.3%) were found to be sensitive to pyrazinamide. Conclusions: The high frequency of pyrazinamide-resistant strains (41.2%) in patients previously treated for tuberculosis highlights the need for drug susceptibility testing prior to the adoption of a new treatment regimen.

Keywords: Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Pyrazinamide; Tuberculosis, multidrug-resistant

Objective: To evaluate the risk factors for the development of tuberculosis and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in patients treated at a tertiary referral hospital. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study based on data obtained from patients treated at the Júlia Kubitschek Hospital, located in the city of Belo Horizonte, Brazil, between October of 2012 and October of 2014. We evaluated sociodemographic, behavioral, clinical, and radiological variables. The outcome considered to identify associations between tuberculosis and the explanatory variables was the treatment prescribed. To evaluate the associations between MDR-TB and the same explanatory variables, the change in MDR-TB treatment was considered. Results: The factors associated with tuberculosis were alcoholism, comorbidities, pulmonary cavitations, and a radiological pattern suggestive of tuberculosis. Cavitation and previous treatment for tuberculosis were associated with MDR-TB. Conclusions: Despite the significant progress made in the fight against tuberculosis, there is a need for coordinated actions that include social protection measures and patient support.

Keywords: Tuberculosis; Risk factors; Tuberculosis, multidrug-resistant.