Diagram shows the distribution of multidrug-resistant/pre-extensively drug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant <i>M. tuberculosis</i> isolates with additional resistance profile.

<p>Diagram shows the distribution of multidrug-resistant/pre-extensively drug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant <i>M. tuberculosis</i> isolates with additional resistance profile.</p

Comparison of clinical characteristics (categorical values) of MDR, p-XDR and XDR-TB isolates.

<p>P values were calculated using chi-square test, values <0.05 considerd as significant.</p><p>CXR = Chest X-Ray, MDR-TB = Multi Drug Resistant Tuberculosis, p-XDR-TB = Pre Extensively Drug Resistant Tuberculosis, XDR-TB = Extensively Drug Resistant Tuberculosis, FQS = Fluroquinolones, BCG =  Bacillus Calmette–Guérin.</p><p><b>Boldface</b> indicates statistically significant differences.</p

P value comparison of patients with history of previous intake of 2^nd line injectable drugs among MDR, p-XDR and XDR-TB isolates.

<p>P values were calculated using Fisher's exact test, values <0.05 considerd as significant.</p><p>MDR-TB = Multi Drug Resistant Tuberculosis, p-XDR-TB = Pre Extensively Drug Resistant Tuberculosis, XDR-TB = Extensively Drug Resistant Tuberculosis.</p><p><b>Boldface</b> indicates statistically significant differences.</p

Description of patient characteristics and their association (adjusted for age and sex) with deviation in treatment duration from site mean.

Description of patient characteristics and their association (adjusted for age and sex) with deviation in treatment duration from site mean.</p

Site-level characteristics and their univariable and multivariable associations with the site-specific mean treatment duration in patients with successful treatment outcomes.

Estimates and 95% confidence interval (CI) from linear regression models.</p

PRISMA diagram for studies and patients included and excluded from the study population.

PRISMA diagram for studies and patients included and excluded from the study population.</p

Forest plot of associations between deviation in treatment duration (in months) from site mean and patient characteristics, resistance categories.

Estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CI) from a multivariable linear mixed model including all variables shown. Footnote: * Conditional R2 for model: 0.08.</p

Associations of individual deviation in treatment duration from site mean with patient characteristics, resistance categories, and drugs used, within specified subgroups.

Estimates and 95% confidence interval (CI) from multivariable linear mixed models including all variables shown (unless otherwise specified).</p

S1 File -

ObjectiveStudying treatment duration for rifampicin-resistant and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR/RR-TB) using observational data is methodologically challenging. We aim to present a hypothesis generating approach to identify factors associated with shorter duration of treatment.Study design and settingWe conducted an individual patient data meta-analysis among MDR/RR-TB patients restricted to only those with successful treatment outcomes. Using multivariable linear regression, we estimated associations and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) between the outcome of individual deviation in treatment duration (in months) from the mean duration of their treatment site and patient characteristics, drug resistance, and treatments used.ResultsOverall, 6702 patients with successful treatment outcomes from 84 treatment sites were included. We found that factors commonly associated with poor treatment outcomes were also associated with longer treatment durations, relative to the site mean duration. Use of bedaquiline was associated with a 0.51 (95% CI: 0.15, 0.87) month decrease in duration of treatment, which was consistent across subgroups, while MDR/RR-TB with fluoroquinolone resistance was associated with 0.78 (95% CI: 0.36, 1.21) months increase.ConclusionWe describe a method to assess associations between clinical factors and treatment duration in observational studies of MDR/RR-TB patients, that may help identify patients who can benefit from shorter treatment.</div

Description of drugs used in treatment and their association (adjusted for age and sex) with deviation in treatment duration from site mean.

Description of drugs used in treatment and their association (adjusted for age and sex) with deviation in treatment duration from site mean.</p