Protocol for a systematic review of long-term physical sequelae and financial burden of multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis

INTRODUCTION: Multidrug resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) tuberculosis (TB) are major public health threats that are significant causes of physical sequelae and financial consequences for infected people. Treatment for MDR- and XDR-TB are more toxic and take longer duration than for drug-susceptible-TB. As a result, the long-term sequelae are thought to be more common among patients with MDR- and XDR-TB than drug-susceptible-TB, but this is yet to be quantified. Hence, the aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to quantify the global burden and types of long-term physical sequelae and financial burden associated with both MDR- and XDR-TB. METHOD AND ANALYSIS: We will search CINHAL, MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and Web of science for studies that report physical and financial sequelae associated with rifampicin-resistant (RR), MDR- and XDR-TB or their treatments. The search will be conducted without time, language, and place restrictions. A random-effects meta-analysis will be conducted to estimate the pooled prevalence of each physical sequela. Heterogeneity will be measured using the Higgins I(2) statistics. We will assess publication bias visually using the funnel plot and statistically using Egger’s test. Adjustments for publication basis will be made using Tweedie’s and Duval Trim and Fill analysis. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Since the study is based on published evidence, ethics approval is not required. The findings of the systematic review will be presented at various conferences and will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. PROTOCOL REGISTRATION: The protocol is published in the PROSPERO with registration number CRD42021250909.