Impacts of hepatitis B and hepatitis C co-infection with tuberculosis, a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence, determinants of hepatitis B, hepatitis C and the survival of tuberculosis patients until drug-induced hepatitis. METHODS: Prospective cohort study design was implemented. The data were collected from September 2016 – May 2019. Systematic random sampling was used to select the study participants. Baseline data were collected before the patient starts DOTS, the sign of liver toxicity was assessed every week. Tuberculosis treatment outcomes and WHO clinical stage was recorded at the end of 6th months. Descriptive statistics were used to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis B, hepatitis C viral infections and their effect on tuberculosis treatment outcomes. Binary logistic regression was used to identify the determinants of hepatitis B and C infections. The Kaplan Meier survival curve was used to estimate the survival of tuberculosis patient and Cox regression was used to identify the predictors of drug-induced hepatitis. RESULTS: A total of 3537 tuberculosis patients were followed. The prevalence of hepatitis B and C viral infection among tuberculosis patients were 15.1 and 17.3% respectively. Hepatitis B viral infection among tuberculosis patients was associated with alcohol, sex, HIV, chronic illness. Hepatitis C viral infection among tuberculosis patients was associated with alcohol, sex, HIV, chronic illness. The incidence density for liver toxicity among tuberculosis patients was 843/15707 person-months and liver toxicity was determined by HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, the severity of tuberculosis and chronic illnesses. CONCLUSION: Decision-makers should consider incorporating screening for hepatitis B and C viral infection during tuberculosis treatment.