Epidemiology and Surveillance

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Public Health Weekly Report 2021; 14(19): 1245-1263

Published online May 6, 2021

© The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency

Diagnosis, Treatment and Outcomes of Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI) in the Household Contact Investigation Program

Park Yong-joon1, Park jin-a1, Kwon Yunhyung1, Shim Eunhye1, Shim Ji-ae2, Jung Sun-young3, Choi Jae Chol3

1Division of Tuberculosis Prevention and Control, Bureau of Infectious Disease Policy, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA)
2Division of Infectious Disease Response Chungcheong Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention, KDCA
3Chung-Ang University hospital

Tuberculosis (TB), a respiratory infectious disease, is known to spread tuberculosis to family members who share in the same space for extended periods of time. In response to the rise in TB cases among family members, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) created the Household Contact Investigation Program. The program is at the core of the KDCA’s National Tuberculosis Management Project that aims to detect and treat additional TB patients and latent TB infection(LTBI) through quick contact investigation.
o detect and treatment additional tuberculosis patients and latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) through a quick contact investigation.
This study aimed to identify the epidemiological characteristics of household contacts of TB patients, evaluate the effectiveness in preventing the spread of TB according to whether TB patients are treated or not, and explore factors related to the adverse effects and elimination of LTBI.
The subjects of the study were examined as household contacts in the KDCA’s TB management data from 2015 to 2018, and were analyzed in connection with the data of the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS).
The risk of TB spreading among non-participants in the Household Contact Investigation Program was 7.4 times higher than that of participants in the program. TB patients who did not receive treatment for LTBI, were 7.29 times higher than TB patients who completed treatment and 2.47 times higher than TB patients who stopped treatment. The risk of suspension of treatment for LTBI was higher among TB patients aged 76 or older and among TB patients with diabetes. Furthermore, the risk of experiencing the side effects associated with LTBI treatment, was higher in all adult age groups aged 19-35, 36-65, and 75 or older than among children under the age of five. Side effect risks were 9.09 times higher in the age 75 or older group than among children in the under 5 years of age group. This study found that the risk of side effects of LTBI treatment at 66-75 years of age was lower than the risk at 36-65 years of age, given the recommendations for the treatment of LTBI.
This study concluded that, because the treatment of LTBI reduces the risk of TB, it should be actively recommended to contacts of people diagnosed with LTBI. This study recommended that medical institutions actively manage the side effects among certain age groups and among individuals with an underlying disease.

Key words Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI), Household contacts investigation, Treatment of LTBI

Table 1. The incidence of active tuberculosis by category of close contacts
Not performed contact investigation (n=321) No. (%)Subjects for TB screening
Performed LTBI screeningNot performed LTBI screening (n=45,969) No. (%)
Positive for LTBI screeningNegative for LTBI screening
Performed treatmentNot treated (n=9,258) No. (%)1 step screening (n=42,640) No. (%)2 step screening (n=9,453) No. (%)
Completed (n=9,584) No. (%)Stopped treatment (n=2,329) No. (%)
Total16 (4.98)23 (0.24)16 (0.69)151 (1.63)166 (0.39)11 (0.12)572 (1.24)
≤ 1 year15 (4.67)5 (0.05)2 (0.09)82 (0.89)79 (0.19)6 (0.06)199 (0.43)
1-2 years1 (0.31)6 (0.06)8 (0.34)47 (0.51)50 (0.12)1 (0.01)144 (0.31)
2-3 years0 (0.00)4 (0.04)2 (0.09)16 (0.17)19 (0.04)2 (0.02)144 (0.31)
> 3years0 (0.00)8 (0.08)4 (0.17)6 (0.06)18 (0.04)2 (0.02)85 (0.18)


Table 2. Baseline characteristics of close contacts and index patients
CharacteristicsClose contactsIndex patients
No. (%)No. (%)
Total120,676 (100.0)58,164 (100.0)
SexMale50,123 (41.5)35,364 (60.8)
Female70,553 (58.5)22,800 (39.2)
Age≤ 5 years old7,664 (6.4)30 (0.1)
6–18 years old16,515 (13.7)1,616 (2.8)
19–35 years old21,874 (18.1)8,954 (15.4)
36–65 years old55,749 (46.2)23,956 (41.2)
66–75 years old11,049 (9.2)9,953 (17.1)
76 ≤ years old7,825 (6.5)13,655 (23.5)
Mean±SD41.98±22.4657.27±20.28


Table 3. Baseline characteristics of close contacts
CharacteristicsNo. (%)
RelationshipSpouse35,218 (29.2)
Brothers and Sisters (siblings)6,297 (5.2)
Parents and Children56,668 (47.0)
Grandparents and Grandchildren10,516 (8.7)
Others (other relatives)11,977 (9.9)
Years of contact investigationNot done322 (0.3)
201531,914 (26.4)
201634,754 (28.8)
201728,336 (23.5)
201825,350 (21.0)
Comorbidity*Chronic lung disease31,187 (25.8)
Diabetes12,952 (10.7)
Renal failure847 (0.7)
Liver disease5,890 (4.9)
AIDS24 (0.0)
Cancer4,249 (3.5)
Rheumatic disease3,260 (2.7)
Alcohol intoxication1,063 (0.9)
Use of steroid49,746 (41.2)

*Comorbidity: variables form National Health Insurance Service



Table 4. Baseline characteristics of index patients
CharacteristicsNo. (%)
Number of contactsMean2.07
Standard deviation1.47
Minimum1
Median1
Maximum100
First quartile1
Third quartile3
Evidence of symptomsYes41,010 (70.5)
No17,154 (29.5)
SymptomsSough29,126 (50.1)
Sputum19,950 (34.3)
Hemoptysis2,604 (4.5)
Weight loss5,320 (9.1)
Cavity on chest PAAbsent42,845 (73.7)
Present13,201 (22.7)
Missing2,118 (3.6)
Acid fast bacilli smear resultPositive22,887 (39.3)
Negative33,477 (57.6)
Others (Undetermined, Not-done, Missing)1,800 (3.1)


Table 5. Risk factors for the development of tuberculosis
CharacteristicsIncidence of TB cases (No.)Person-yearIncidence per 1000 person-yearHazard Ratio IHazard Ratio II (adjusted)
HR95% CIaHR95% CI
ContactsStatus of LTBINot performed LTBI screening572164,339.533.481.001.00
Not performed contact investigation161,208.6813.243.892.376.415.943.599.83
No LTBI by 1-step166116,112.291.430.390.330.460.420.330.52
No LTBI by 2-step1127,584.540.400.110.060.200.160.080.29
LTBI with treatment discontinuation166,678.062.400.660.401.080.570.340.96
LTBI with treatment complete2326,537.560.870.240.160.360.250.160.39
LTBI without treatment15123,327.456.471.721.442.071.581.301.93
SexMale407151,295.652.691.00---
Female548214,492.452.550.950.841.08---
AgeUnder 5124,201.360.041.001.00
6–188051,868.831.5437.265.20267.1924.683.44176.81
19–3517767,067.332.6463.568.92452.7729.024.06207.18
36–65384168,207.332.2854.847.72389.5514.962.09106.94
66–7514433,050.804.36104.6414.67746.3824.573.41176.91
Over 7616921,392.467.90187.9626.381,339.3842.675.93307.11
Relationship to index patients1st degree*878298,094.682.951.001.00
2nd degree7767,693.431.140.390.310.490.480.380.61
ComorbiditiesChronic lung disease25793,209.282.761.080.931.24---
Diabetes16337,399.454.361.801.522.131.150.961.38
Renal failure172,229.597.622.911.804.701.771.092.89
Liver disease5317,061.023.111.190.911.57---
AIDS071.060003.02E+104---
Cancer4311,828.333.641.401.031.901.090.801.48
Rheumatic disease329,806.363.261.260.891.79E+00---
Use of steroids153,145.554.771.841.103.061.580.952.63
IndexCavityAbsence406153,859.132.641.030.901.17---
Presence547267,824.492.041.001.00
Sputum cultureNegative38685,194.744.532.231.952.541.691.481.94
Positive10798,735.091.081.001.00
TB-PCRNegative809245,640.553.293.032.483.711.741.402.16
Positive118107,655.411.101.001.00
AFB smearNegative545163,612.253.333.052.503.721.421.141.76
Positive257203,820.391.261.001.00
SymptomsNo676150,454.444.493.583.104.142.352.002.77
Yes817103,754.807.871.001.00

*1st degree: Spouse / Brothers and Sisters (siblings) / Parents and Children

†2nd degree: Grandparents and Grandchildren / Others (other relatives)



Table 6. The risk of tuberculosis according to screening and treatment of latent tuberculosis infection in household contacts
CharacteristicsNo.person-yearIncidence per 1000 PYHazard Ratio IHazard Ratio II (adjusted)
ScreeningPerformed939364,579.432.581.001.00
Not performed161,208.6813.245.38 (3.28-8.83)7.40 (4.49-12.19)
Result of LTBI screeningNegative177143,696.831.231.001.00
Positive19056,543.073.362.71 (2.21-3.33)2.28 (1.85-2.82)
Treatment of LTBIcase 1treated3933,215.621.171.001.00
Not treated15123,327.456.475.42 (3.81-7.71)5.46 (3.76-7.92)
case 2Treatment complete2326,537.560.871.001.00
Stopped treatment166,678.062.402.78 (1.47-5.25)2.47 (1.30-4.68)
Not treated15123,327.456.477.34 (4.73-11.38)7.29 (4.61-11.51)

Variables: sex, age, comorbidities (case 1: renal failure, alcohol intoxication, case 2: renal failure, diabetes), presence of cavity, culture result, smear result, presence of symptoms and tuberculosis-polymerase chain reaction result.



Table 7. Completion and discontinuation of LTBI treatment for each type of drug treatment
CharacteristicsTreatment of LTBI3HR4R6-9H
TreatmentTotal11,9136,3301,0384,545
completed Treatment9,584 (80.4)5,121 (80.9)850 (81.9)3,613 (79.5)
Stopped treatment2,329 (19.6)1,209 (19.1)188 (18.1)932 (20.5)
Reasons for discontinuationSide effectsTotal633 (57.3)407 (61.0)57 (54.3)169 (50.8)
Hepatotoxicity230 (20.8)151 (22.6)20 (19.0)59 (17.7)
Skin reactions233 (21.1)132 (19.8)18 (17.1)83 (24.9)
Platelet abnomality38 (3.4)22 (3.3)1 (1.0)15 (4.5)
Gastroenteric trouble50 (4.5)41 (6.1)4 (3.8)5 (1.5)
Pain39 (3.5)29 (4.3)8 (7.6)2 (0.6)
Others43 (3.9)32 (4.8)6 (5.7)5 (1.5)
Resistance45 (4.1)19 (2.8)6 (5.7)20 (6.0)
Others*427 (38.6)241 (36.1)42 (40.0)144 (43.2)

*Noncooperation, Unidentified, Interruption of one’s self

No reason for discontinuation of LTBI treatment 1,224 people(3HR 542 people, 4R 83 people, 6-9H 599 people)



Table 8. Analysis of the discontinuation factor for LTBI treatment
CharacteristicsLTBI with treatment completion No. (%)LTBI with treatment discontinuation No. (%)p-valueHazard Ratio IHazard Ratio II (adjusted)
HR95% CIaHR95% CI
SexTotal9,584 (100.0)2,329 (100.0)
Male4,298 (44.8)1,034 (44.4)0.6961.00---
Female5,286 (55.2)1,295 (55.6)1.020.931.12---
AgeMean±SD30.82±23.2635.36±22.34
≤ 5 years old1,835 (19.1)284 (12.2)<.00011.001.00
6–18 years old2,254 (23.5)437 (18.8)1.251.071.471.351.151.60
19–35 years old1,247 (13.0)436 (18.7)2.261.912.673.042.523.66
36–65 years old3,811 (39.8)1,014 (43.5)1.721.491.982.452.062.91
66–75 years old337 (3.5)99 (4.3)1.901.472.452.511.893.32
76 ≤ years old100 (1.0)59 (2.5)3.812.705.384.903.407.07
Comorbidity*Chronic lung disease2,798 (29.2)596 (25.6)0.00050.830.750.930.900.811.00
Diabetes789 (8.2)280 (12.0)<.00011.521.321.761.261.071.47
Renal failure46 (0.5)7 (0.3)0.24330.630.281.39---
Liver disease376 (3.9)104 (4.5)0.23261.150.921.43---
AIDS3 (0.0)1 (0.0)0.78341.370.1413.20---
Cancer264 (2.8)62 (2.7)0.80610.970.731.28---
Rheumatic disease162 (1.7)55 (2.4)0.02981.411.031.921.190.871.63
Alcohol intoxication56 (0.6)16 (0.7)0.56631.180.672.06---
Use of steroids3,668 (38.3)865 (37.1)0.3130.950.871.05---
Therapy6-9H3,613 (37.7)932 (40.0)0.17561.00---
3HR5,121 (53.4)1,209 (51.9)0.920.831.010.560.500.63
4R850 (8.9)188 (8.1)0.860.721.020.500.410.60

*Comorbidity: variables from the National Health Insurance Service



Table 9. Analysis of adverse drug reactions to LTBI treatment
CharacteristicsTreatment of LTBIP-valueHazard Ratio IHazard Ratio II (adjusted)
No side effectsNo. (%) Side effects* No. (%)HR95% CIaHR95% CI
SexTotal9,584 (100.0)633 (100.0)
Male4,298 (44.8)225 (35.5)<.00011.001.00
Female5,286 (55.2)408 (64.5)1.471.251.741.271.071.51
AgeMean±SD30.82±23.2643.49±20.45
≤ 5 years old1,835 (19.1)48 (7.6)<.00011.001.00
6–18 years old2,254 (23.5)50 (7.9)0.850.571.270.910.611.37
19–35 years old1,247 (13.0)100 (15.8)3.072.164.363.562.445.21
36–65 years old3,811 (39.8)380 (60.0)3.812.815.174.383.096.21
66–75 years old337 (3.5)32 (5.1)3.632.295.763.822.316.31
76 ≤ years old100 (1.0)23 (3.6)8.795.1415.039.095.1216.15
ComorbidityChronic lung disease2,798 (29.2)175 (27.6)0.40620.930.781.11---
Diabetes789 (8.2)98 (15.5)<.00012.001.602.511.210.941.55
Renal failure46 (0.5)5 (0.8)0.28391.690.674.25---
Liver disease376 (3.9)41 (6.5)0.00171.731.252.411.090.771.53
AIDS3 (0.0)1 (0.2)0.11875.280.5550.75---
Cancer264 (2.8)23 (3.6)0.19491.340.872.07---
Rheumatic disease162 (1.7)24 (3.8)0.00012.281.473.521.410.902.20
Alcohol intoxication56 (0.6)8 (1.3)0.03582.161.034.53---
Use of steroids3,668 (38.3)297 (46.9)<.00011.431.221.681.311.111.54

*Hepatotoxicity, Skin reactions, Platelet abnormality, Gastroenteric trouble, Pain, Others

†Comorbidity: variables from the National Health Insurance Service



Figure 1. Flowchart of the study population according to contact investigations, Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) tests, and LTBI treatment
  1. World Health Organization. Global tuberculosis report 2020.
  2. Korea Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention. 2019 Annual report on the notified tuberculosis in Korea 2019. KCDC; 2020.
  3. Shim TS, Koh WJ, Yim JJ, Lew WJ. Treatment of latent tuberculosis infection in Korea. Tuberc Respir Dis 2008;65:79-90.
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  4. Greg J. Fox, Nguyen V. Nhung, et al. Household- Contact Investigation for Detection of Tuberculosis in Vietnam. N Engl J Med 2018;378:221-229.
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  5. Lobue P, Menzies D. Treatment of latent tuberculosis infection: an update. Respirology 2010;15:603-622.
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  6. Haileyesus Getahun, Alberto Matteelli, et al. Latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection. N Engl J Med 2015;372(22):2127-2135.
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  7. Joint Committee for the Development of Korean Guideline for Tuberculosis; Korean Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Korean guidelines for tuberculosis, 3rd ed. Seoul: Medrang Inforang Ltd.; 2017.

Epidemiology and Surveillance

Public Health Weekly Report 2021; 14(19): 1245-1263

Published online May 6, 2021

Copyright © The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency.

Diagnosis, Treatment and Outcomes of Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI) in the Household Contact Investigation Program

Park Yong-joon1, Park jin-a1, Kwon Yunhyung1, Shim Eunhye1, Shim Ji-ae2, Jung Sun-young3, Choi Jae Chol3

1Division of Tuberculosis Prevention and Control, Bureau of Infectious Disease Policy, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA)
2Division of Infectious Disease Response Chungcheong Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention, KDCA
3Chung-Ang University hospital

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB), a respiratory infectious disease, is known to spread tuberculosis to family members who share in the same space for extended periods of time. In response to the rise in TB cases among family members, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) created the Household Contact Investigation Program. The program is at the core of the KDCA’s National Tuberculosis Management Project that aims to detect and treat additional TB patients and latent TB infection(LTBI) through quick contact investigation.
o detect and treatment additional tuberculosis patients and latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) through a quick contact investigation.
This study aimed to identify the epidemiological characteristics of household contacts of TB patients, evaluate the effectiveness in preventing the spread of TB according to whether TB patients are treated or not, and explore factors related to the adverse effects and elimination of LTBI.
The subjects of the study were examined as household contacts in the KDCA’s TB management data from 2015 to 2018, and were analyzed in connection with the data of the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS).
The risk of TB spreading among non-participants in the Household Contact Investigation Program was 7.4 times higher than that of participants in the program. TB patients who did not receive treatment for LTBI, were 7.29 times higher than TB patients who completed treatment and 2.47 times higher than TB patients who stopped treatment. The risk of suspension of treatment for LTBI was higher among TB patients aged 76 or older and among TB patients with diabetes. Furthermore, the risk of experiencing the side effects associated with LTBI treatment, was higher in all adult age groups aged 19-35, 36-65, and 75 or older than among children under the age of five. Side effect risks were 9.09 times higher in the age 75 or older group than among children in the under 5 years of age group. This study found that the risk of side effects of LTBI treatment at 66-75 years of age was lower than the risk at 36-65 years of age, given the recommendations for the treatment of LTBI.
This study concluded that, because the treatment of LTBI reduces the risk of TB, it should be actively recommended to contacts of people diagnosed with LTBI. This study recommended that medical institutions actively manage the side effects among certain age groups and among individuals with an underlying disease.

Keywords: Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI), Household contacts investigation, Treatment of LTBI

Body

The incidence of active tuberculosis by category of close contacts
Not performed contact investigation (n=321) No. (%)Subjects for TB screening
Performed LTBI screeningNot performed LTBI screening (n=45,969) No. (%)
Positive for LTBI screeningNegative for LTBI screening
Performed treatmentNot treated (n=9,258) No. (%)1 step screening (n=42,640) No. (%)2 step screening (n=9,453) No. (%)
Completed (n=9,584) No. (%)Stopped treatment (n=2,329) No. (%)
Total16 (4.98)23 (0.24)16 (0.69)151 (1.63)166 (0.39)11 (0.12)572 (1.24)
≤ 1 year15 (4.67)5 (0.05)2 (0.09)82 (0.89)79 (0.19)6 (0.06)199 (0.43)
1-2 years1 (0.31)6 (0.06)8 (0.34)47 (0.51)50 (0.12)1 (0.01)144 (0.31)
2-3 years0 (0.00)4 (0.04)2 (0.09)16 (0.17)19 (0.04)2 (0.02)144 (0.31)
> 3years0 (0.00)8 (0.08)4 (0.17)6 (0.06)18 (0.04)2 (0.02)85 (0.18)


Baseline characteristics of close contacts and index patients
CharacteristicsClose contactsIndex patients
No. (%)No. (%)
Total120,676 (100.0)58,164 (100.0)
SexMale50,123 (41.5)35,364 (60.8)
Female70,553 (58.5)22,800 (39.2)
Age≤ 5 years old7,664 (6.4)30 (0.1)
6–18 years old16,515 (13.7)1,616 (2.8)
19–35 years old21,874 (18.1)8,954 (15.4)
36–65 years old55,749 (46.2)23,956 (41.2)
66–75 years old11,049 (9.2)9,953 (17.1)
76 ≤ years old7,825 (6.5)13,655 (23.5)
Mean±SD41.98±22.4657.27±20.28


Baseline characteristics of close contacts
CharacteristicsNo. (%)
RelationshipSpouse35,218 (29.2)
Brothers and Sisters (siblings)6,297 (5.2)
Parents and Children56,668 (47.0)
Grandparents and Grandchildren10,516 (8.7)
Others (other relatives)11,977 (9.9)
Years of contact investigationNot done322 (0.3)
201531,914 (26.4)
201634,754 (28.8)
201728,336 (23.5)
201825,350 (21.0)
Comorbidity*Chronic lung disease31,187 (25.8)
Diabetes12,952 (10.7)
Renal failure847 (0.7)
Liver disease5,890 (4.9)
AIDS24 (0.0)
Cancer4,249 (3.5)
Rheumatic disease3,260 (2.7)
Alcohol intoxication1,063 (0.9)
Use of steroid49,746 (41.2)

*Comorbidity: variables form National Health Insurance Service.



Baseline characteristics of index patients
CharacteristicsNo. (%)
Number of contactsMean2.07
Standard deviation1.47
Minimum1
Median1
Maximum100
First quartile1
Third quartile3
Evidence of symptomsYes41,010 (70.5)
No17,154 (29.5)
SymptomsSough29,126 (50.1)
Sputum19,950 (34.3)
Hemoptysis2,604 (4.5)
Weight loss5,320 (9.1)
Cavity on chest PAAbsent42,845 (73.7)
Present13,201 (22.7)
Missing2,118 (3.6)
Acid fast bacilli smear resultPositive22,887 (39.3)
Negative33,477 (57.6)
Others (Undetermined, Not-done, Missing)1,800 (3.1)


Risk factors for the development of tuberculosis
CharacteristicsIncidence of TB cases (No.)Person-yearIncidence per 1000 person-yearHazard Ratio IHazard Ratio II (adjusted)
HR95% CIaHR95% CI
ContactsStatus of LTBINot performed LTBI screening572164,339.533.481.001.00
Not performed contact investigation161,208.6813.243.892.376.415.943.599.83
No LTBI by 1-step166116,112.291.430.390.330.460.420.330.52
No LTBI by 2-step1127,584.540.400.110.060.200.160.080.29
LTBI with treatment discontinuation166,678.062.400.660.401.080.570.340.96
LTBI with treatment complete2326,537.560.870.240.160.360.250.160.39
LTBI without treatment15123,327.456.471.721.442.071.581.301.93
SexMale407151,295.652.691.00---
Female548214,492.452.550.950.841.08---
AgeUnder 5124,201.360.041.001.00
6–188051,868.831.5437.265.20267.1924.683.44176.81
19–3517767,067.332.6463.568.92452.7729.024.06207.18
36–65384168,207.332.2854.847.72389.5514.962.09106.94
66–7514433,050.804.36104.6414.67746.3824.573.41176.91
Over 7616921,392.467.90187.9626.381,339.3842.675.93307.11
Relationship to index patients1st degree*878298,094.682.951.001.00
2nd degree7767,693.431.140.390.310.490.480.380.61
ComorbiditiesChronic lung disease25793,209.282.761.080.931.24---
Diabetes16337,399.454.361.801.522.131.150.961.38
Renal failure172,229.597.622.911.804.701.771.092.89
Liver disease5317,061.023.111.190.911.57---
AIDS071.060003.02E+104---
Cancer4311,828.333.641.401.031.901.090.801.48
Rheumatic disease329,806.363.261.260.891.79E+00---
Use of steroids153,145.554.771.841.103.061.580.952.63
IndexCavityAbsence406153,859.132.641.030.901.17---
Presence547267,824.492.041.001.00
Sputum cultureNegative38685,194.744.532.231.952.541.691.481.94
Positive10798,735.091.081.001.00
TB-PCRNegative809245,640.553.293.032.483.711.741.402.16
Positive118107,655.411.101.001.00
AFB smearNegative545163,612.253.333.052.503.721.421.141.76
Positive257203,820.391.261.001.00
SymptomsNo676150,454.444.493.583.104.142.352.002.77
Yes817103,754.807.871.001.00

*1st degree: Spouse / Brothers and Sisters (siblings) / Parents and Children.

†2nd degree: Grandparents and Grandchildren / Others (other relatives).



The risk of tuberculosis according to screening and treatment of latent tuberculosis infection in household contacts
CharacteristicsNo.person-yearIncidence per 1000 PYHazard Ratio IHazard Ratio II (adjusted)
ScreeningPerformed939364,579.432.581.001.00
Not performed161,208.6813.245.38 (3.28-8.83)7.40 (4.49-12.19)
Result of LTBI screeningNegative177143,696.831.231.001.00
Positive19056,543.073.362.71 (2.21-3.33)2.28 (1.85-2.82)
Treatment of LTBIcase 1treated3933,215.621.171.001.00
Not treated15123,327.456.475.42 (3.81-7.71)5.46 (3.76-7.92)
case 2Treatment complete2326,537.560.871.001.00
Stopped treatment166,678.062.402.78 (1.47-5.25)2.47 (1.30-4.68)
Not treated15123,327.456.477.34 (4.73-11.38)7.29 (4.61-11.51)

Variables: sex, age, comorbidities (case 1: renal failure, alcohol intoxication, case 2: renal failure, diabetes), presence of cavity, culture result, smear result, presence of symptoms and tuberculosis-polymerase chain reaction result..



Completion and discontinuation of LTBI treatment for each type of drug treatment
CharacteristicsTreatment of LTBI3HR4R6-9H
TreatmentTotal11,9136,3301,0384,545
completed Treatment9,584 (80.4)5,121 (80.9)850 (81.9)3,613 (79.5)
Stopped treatment2,329 (19.6)1,209 (19.1)188 (18.1)932 (20.5)
Reasons for discontinuationSide effectsTotal633 (57.3)407 (61.0)57 (54.3)169 (50.8)
Hepatotoxicity230 (20.8)151 (22.6)20 (19.0)59 (17.7)
Skin reactions233 (21.1)132 (19.8)18 (17.1)83 (24.9)
Platelet abnomality38 (3.4)22 (3.3)1 (1.0)15 (4.5)
Gastroenteric trouble50 (4.5)41 (6.1)4 (3.8)5 (1.5)
Pain39 (3.5)29 (4.3)8 (7.6)2 (0.6)
Others43 (3.9)32 (4.8)6 (5.7)5 (1.5)
Resistance45 (4.1)19 (2.8)6 (5.7)20 (6.0)
Others*427 (38.6)241 (36.1)42 (40.0)144 (43.2)

*Noncooperation, Unidentified, Interruption of one’s self.

No reason for discontinuation of LTBI treatment 1,224 people(3HR 542 people, 4R 83 people, 6-9H 599 people).



Analysis of the discontinuation factor for LTBI treatment
CharacteristicsLTBI with treatment completion No. (%)LTBI with treatment discontinuation No. (%)p-valueHazard Ratio IHazard Ratio II (adjusted)
HR95% CIaHR95% CI
SexTotal9,584 (100.0)2,329 (100.0)
Male4,298 (44.8)1,034 (44.4)0.6961.00---
Female5,286 (55.2)1,295 (55.6)1.020.931.12---
AgeMean±SD30.82±23.2635.36±22.34
≤ 5 years old1,835 (19.1)284 (12.2)<.00011.001.00
6–18 years old2,254 (23.5)437 (18.8)1.251.071.471.351.151.60
19–35 years old1,247 (13.0)436 (18.7)2.261.912.673.042.523.66
36–65 years old3,811 (39.8)1,014 (43.5)1.721.491.982.452.062.91
66–75 years old337 (3.5)99 (4.3)1.901.472.452.511.893.32
76 ≤ years old100 (1.0)59 (2.5)3.812.705.384.903.407.07
Comorbidity*Chronic lung disease2,798 (29.2)596 (25.6)0.00050.830.750.930.900.811.00
Diabetes789 (8.2)280 (12.0)<.00011.521.321.761.261.071.47
Renal failure46 (0.5)7 (0.3)0.24330.630.281.39---
Liver disease376 (3.9)104 (4.5)0.23261.150.921.43---
AIDS3 (0.0)1 (0.0)0.78341.370.1413.20---
Cancer264 (2.8)62 (2.7)0.80610.970.731.28---
Rheumatic disease162 (1.7)55 (2.4)0.02981.411.031.921.190.871.63
Alcohol intoxication56 (0.6)16 (0.7)0.56631.180.672.06---
Use of steroids3,668 (38.3)865 (37.1)0.3130.950.871.05---
Therapy6-9H3,613 (37.7)932 (40.0)0.17561.00---
3HR5,121 (53.4)1,209 (51.9)0.920.831.010.560.500.63
4R850 (8.9)188 (8.1)0.860.721.020.500.410.60

*Comorbidity: variables from the National Health Insurance Service.



Analysis of adverse drug reactions to LTBI treatment
CharacteristicsTreatment of LTBIP-valueHazard Ratio IHazard Ratio II (adjusted)
No side effectsNo. (%) Side effects* No. (%)HR95% CIaHR95% CI
SexTotal9,584 (100.0)633 (100.0)
Male4,298 (44.8)225 (35.5)<.00011.001.00
Female5,286 (55.2)408 (64.5)1.471.251.741.271.071.51
AgeMean±SD30.82±23.2643.49±20.45
≤ 5 years old1,835 (19.1)48 (7.6)<.00011.001.00
6–18 years old2,254 (23.5)50 (7.9)0.850.571.270.910.611.37
19–35 years old1,247 (13.0)100 (15.8)3.072.164.363.562.445.21
36–65 years old3,811 (39.8)380 (60.0)3.812.815.174.383.096.21
66–75 years old337 (3.5)32 (5.1)3.632.295.763.822.316.31
76 ≤ years old100 (1.0)23 (3.6)8.795.1415.039.095.1216.15
ComorbidityChronic lung disease2,798 (29.2)175 (27.6)0.40620.930.781.11---
Diabetes789 (8.2)98 (15.5)<.00012.001.602.511.210.941.55
Renal failure46 (0.5)5 (0.8)0.28391.690.674.25---
Liver disease376 (3.9)41 (6.5)0.00171.731.252.411.090.771.53
AIDS3 (0.0)1 (0.2)0.11875.280.5550.75---
Cancer264 (2.8)23 (3.6)0.19491.340.872.07---
Rheumatic disease162 (1.7)24 (3.8)0.00012.281.473.521.410.902.20
Alcohol intoxication56 (0.6)8 (1.3)0.03582.161.034.53---
Use of steroids3,668 (38.3)297 (46.9)<.00011.431.221.681.311.111.54

*Hepatotoxicity, Skin reactions, Platelet abnormality, Gastroenteric trouble, Pain, Others.

†Comorbidity: variables from the National Health Insurance Service.



Figure 1. Flowchart of the study population according to contact investigations, Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) tests, and LTBI treatment

Fig 1.

Figure 1.Flowchart of the study population according to contact investigations, Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) tests, and LTBI treatment
Public Health Weekly Report 2021; 14: 1245-1263
The incidence of active tuberculosis by category of close contacts
Not performed contact investigation (n=321) No. (%)Subjects for TB screening
Performed LTBI screeningNot performed LTBI screening (n=45,969) No. (%)
Positive for LTBI screeningNegative for LTBI screening
Performed treatmentNot treated (n=9,258) No. (%)1 step screening (n=42,640) No. (%)2 step screening (n=9,453) No. (%)
Completed (n=9,584) No. (%)Stopped treatment (n=2,329) No. (%)
Total16 (4.98)23 (0.24)16 (0.69)151 (1.63)166 (0.39)11 (0.12)572 (1.24)
≤ 1 year15 (4.67)5 (0.05)2 (0.09)82 (0.89)79 (0.19)6 (0.06)199 (0.43)
1-2 years1 (0.31)6 (0.06)8 (0.34)47 (0.51)50 (0.12)1 (0.01)144 (0.31)
2-3 years0 (0.00)4 (0.04)2 (0.09)16 (0.17)19 (0.04)2 (0.02)144 (0.31)
> 3years0 (0.00)8 (0.08)4 (0.17)6 (0.06)18 (0.04)2 (0.02)85 (0.18)

Baseline characteristics of close contacts and index patients
CharacteristicsClose contactsIndex patients
No. (%)No. (%)
Total120,676 (100.0)58,164 (100.0)
SexMale50,123 (41.5)35,364 (60.8)
Female70,553 (58.5)22,800 (39.2)
Age≤ 5 years old7,664 (6.4)30 (0.1)
6–18 years old16,515 (13.7)1,616 (2.8)
19–35 years old21,874 (18.1)8,954 (15.4)
36–65 years old55,749 (46.2)23,956 (41.2)
66–75 years old11,049 (9.2)9,953 (17.1)
76 ≤ years old7,825 (6.5)13,655 (23.5)
Mean±SD41.98±22.4657.27±20.28

Baseline characteristics of close contacts
CharacteristicsNo. (%)
RelationshipSpouse35,218 (29.2)
Brothers and Sisters (siblings)6,297 (5.2)
Parents and Children56,668 (47.0)
Grandparents and Grandchildren10,516 (8.7)
Others (other relatives)11,977 (9.9)
Years of contact investigationNot done322 (0.3)
201531,914 (26.4)
201634,754 (28.8)
201728,336 (23.5)
201825,350 (21.0)
Comorbidity*Chronic lung disease31,187 (25.8)
Diabetes12,952 (10.7)
Renal failure847 (0.7)
Liver disease5,890 (4.9)
AIDS24 (0.0)
Cancer4,249 (3.5)
Rheumatic disease3,260 (2.7)
Alcohol intoxication1,063 (0.9)
Use of steroid49,746 (41.2)

*Comorbidity: variables form National Health Insurance Service.


Baseline characteristics of index patients
CharacteristicsNo. (%)
Number of contactsMean2.07
Standard deviation1.47
Minimum1
Median1
Maximum100
First quartile1
Third quartile3
Evidence of symptomsYes41,010 (70.5)
No17,154 (29.5)
SymptomsSough29,126 (50.1)
Sputum19,950 (34.3)
Hemoptysis2,604 (4.5)
Weight loss5,320 (9.1)
Cavity on chest PAAbsent42,845 (73.7)
Present13,201 (22.7)
Missing2,118 (3.6)
Acid fast bacilli smear resultPositive22,887 (39.3)
Negative33,477 (57.6)
Others (Undetermined, Not-done, Missing)1,800 (3.1)

Risk factors for the development of tuberculosis
CharacteristicsIncidence of TB cases (No.)Person-yearIncidence per 1000 person-yearHazard Ratio IHazard Ratio II (adjusted)
HR95% CIaHR95% CI
ContactsStatus of LTBINot performed LTBI screening572164,339.533.481.001.00
Not performed contact investigation161,208.6813.243.892.376.415.943.599.83
No LTBI by 1-step166116,112.291.430.390.330.460.420.330.52
No LTBI by 2-step1127,584.540.400.110.060.200.160.080.29
LTBI with treatment discontinuation166,678.062.400.660.401.080.570.340.96
LTBI with treatment complete2326,537.560.870.240.160.360.250.160.39
LTBI without treatment15123,327.456.471.721.442.071.581.301.93
SexMale407151,295.652.691.00---
Female548214,492.452.550.950.841.08---
AgeUnder 5124,201.360.041.001.00
6–188051,868.831.5437.265.20267.1924.683.44176.81
19–3517767,067.332.6463.568.92452.7729.024.06207.18
36–65384168,207.332.2854.847.72389.5514.962.09106.94
66–7514433,050.804.36104.6414.67746.3824.573.41176.91
Over 7616921,392.467.90187.9626.381,339.3842.675.93307.11
Relationship to index patients1st degree*878298,094.682.951.001.00
2nd degree7767,693.431.140.390.310.490.480.380.61
ComorbiditiesChronic lung disease25793,209.282.761.080.931.24---
Diabetes16337,399.454.361.801.522.131.150.961.38
Renal failure172,229.597.622.911.804.701.771.092.89
Liver disease5317,061.023.111.190.911.57---
AIDS071.060003.02E+104---
Cancer4311,828.333.641.401.031.901.090.801.48
Rheumatic disease329,806.363.261.260.891.79E+00---
Use of steroids153,145.554.771.841.103.061.580.952.63
IndexCavityAbsence406153,859.132.641.030.901.17---
Presence547267,824.492.041.001.00
Sputum cultureNegative38685,194.744.532.231.952.541.691.481.94
Positive10798,735.091.081.001.00
TB-PCRNegative809245,640.553.293.032.483.711.741.402.16
Positive118107,655.411.101.001.00
AFB smearNegative545163,612.253.333.052.503.721.421.141.76
Positive257203,820.391.261.001.00
SymptomsNo676150,454.444.493.583.104.142.352.002.77
Yes817103,754.807.871.001.00

*1st degree: Spouse / Brothers and Sisters (siblings) / Parents and Children.

†2nd degree: Grandparents and Grandchildren / Others (other relatives).


The risk of tuberculosis according to screening and treatment of latent tuberculosis infection in household contacts
CharacteristicsNo.person-yearIncidence per 1000 PYHazard Ratio IHazard Ratio II (adjusted)
ScreeningPerformed939364,579.432.581.001.00
Not performed161,208.6813.245.38 (3.28-8.83)7.40 (4.49-12.19)
Result of LTBI screeningNegative177143,696.831.231.001.00
Positive19056,543.073.362.71 (2.21-3.33)2.28 (1.85-2.82)
Treatment of LTBIcase 1treated3933,215.621.171.001.00
Not treated15123,327.456.475.42 (3.81-7.71)5.46 (3.76-7.92)
case 2Treatment complete2326,537.560.871.001.00
Stopped treatment166,678.062.402.78 (1.47-5.25)2.47 (1.30-4.68)
Not treated15123,327.456.477.34 (4.73-11.38)7.29 (4.61-11.51)

Variables: sex, age, comorbidities (case 1: renal failure, alcohol intoxication, case 2: renal failure, diabetes), presence of cavity, culture result, smear result, presence of symptoms and tuberculosis-polymerase chain reaction result..


Completion and discontinuation of LTBI treatment for each type of drug treatment
CharacteristicsTreatment of LTBI3HR4R6-9H
TreatmentTotal11,9136,3301,0384,545
completed Treatment9,584 (80.4)5,121 (80.9)850 (81.9)3,613 (79.5)
Stopped treatment2,329 (19.6)1,209 (19.1)188 (18.1)932 (20.5)
Reasons for discontinuationSide effectsTotal633 (57.3)407 (61.0)57 (54.3)169 (50.8)
Hepatotoxicity230 (20.8)151 (22.6)20 (19.0)59 (17.7)
Skin reactions233 (21.1)132 (19.8)18 (17.1)83 (24.9)
Platelet abnomality38 (3.4)22 (3.3)1 (1.0)15 (4.5)
Gastroenteric trouble50 (4.5)41 (6.1)4 (3.8)5 (1.5)
Pain39 (3.5)29 (4.3)8 (7.6)2 (0.6)
Others43 (3.9)32 (4.8)6 (5.7)5 (1.5)
Resistance45 (4.1)19 (2.8)6 (5.7)20 (6.0)
Others*427 (38.6)241 (36.1)42 (40.0)144 (43.2)

*Noncooperation, Unidentified, Interruption of one’s self.

No reason for discontinuation of LTBI treatment 1,224 people(3HR 542 people, 4R 83 people, 6-9H 599 people).


Analysis of the discontinuation factor for LTBI treatment
CharacteristicsLTBI with treatment completion No. (%)LTBI with treatment discontinuation No. (%)p-valueHazard Ratio IHazard Ratio II (adjusted)
HR95% CIaHR95% CI
SexTotal9,584 (100.0)2,329 (100.0)
Male4,298 (44.8)1,034 (44.4)0.6961.00---
Female5,286 (55.2)1,295 (55.6)1.020.931.12---
AgeMean±SD30.82±23.2635.36±22.34
≤ 5 years old1,835 (19.1)284 (12.2)<.00011.001.00
6–18 years old2,254 (23.5)437 (18.8)1.251.071.471.351.151.60
19–35 years old1,247 (13.0)436 (18.7)2.261.912.673.042.523.66
36–65 years old3,811 (39.8)1,014 (43.5)1.721.491.982.452.062.91
66–75 years old337 (3.5)99 (4.3)1.901.472.452.511.893.32
76 ≤ years old100 (1.0)59 (2.5)3.812.705.384.903.407.07
Comorbidity*Chronic lung disease2,798 (29.2)596 (25.6)0.00050.830.750.930.900.811.00
Diabetes789 (8.2)280 (12.0)<.00011.521.321.761.261.071.47
Renal failure46 (0.5)7 (0.3)0.24330.630.281.39---
Liver disease376 (3.9)104 (4.5)0.23261.150.921.43---
AIDS3 (0.0)1 (0.0)0.78341.370.1413.20---
Cancer264 (2.8)62 (2.7)0.80610.970.731.28---
Rheumatic disease162 (1.7)55 (2.4)0.02981.411.031.921.190.871.63
Alcohol intoxication56 (0.6)16 (0.7)0.56631.180.672.06---
Use of steroids3,668 (38.3)865 (37.1)0.3130.950.871.05---
Therapy6-9H3,613 (37.7)932 (40.0)0.17561.00---
3HR5,121 (53.4)1,209 (51.9)0.920.831.010.560.500.63
4R850 (8.9)188 (8.1)0.860.721.020.500.410.60

*Comorbidity: variables from the National Health Insurance Service.


Analysis of adverse drug reactions to LTBI treatment
CharacteristicsTreatment of LTBIP-valueHazard Ratio IHazard Ratio II (adjusted)
No side effectsNo. (%) Side effects* No. (%)HR95% CIaHR95% CI
SexTotal9,584 (100.0)633 (100.0)
Male4,298 (44.8)225 (35.5)<.00011.001.00
Female5,286 (55.2)408 (64.5)1.471.251.741.271.071.51
AgeMean±SD30.82±23.2643.49±20.45
≤ 5 years old1,835 (19.1)48 (7.6)<.00011.001.00
6–18 years old2,254 (23.5)50 (7.9)0.850.571.270.910.611.37
19–35 years old1,247 (13.0)100 (15.8)3.072.164.363.562.445.21
36–65 years old3,811 (39.8)380 (60.0)3.812.815.174.383.096.21
66–75 years old337 (3.5)32 (5.1)3.632.295.763.822.316.31
76 ≤ years old100 (1.0)23 (3.6)8.795.1415.039.095.1216.15
ComorbidityChronic lung disease2,798 (29.2)175 (27.6)0.40620.930.781.11---
Diabetes789 (8.2)98 (15.5)<.00012.001.602.511.210.941.55
Renal failure46 (0.5)5 (0.8)0.28391.690.674.25---
Liver disease376 (3.9)41 (6.5)0.00171.731.252.411.090.771.53
AIDS3 (0.0)1 (0.2)0.11875.280.5550.75---
Cancer264 (2.8)23 (3.6)0.19491.340.872.07---
Rheumatic disease162 (1.7)24 (3.8)0.00012.281.473.521.410.902.20
Alcohol intoxication56 (0.6)8 (1.3)0.03582.161.034.53---
Use of steroids3,668 (38.3)297 (46.9)<.00011.431.221.681.311.111.54

*Hepatotoxicity, Skin reactions, Platelet abnormality, Gastroenteric trouble, Pain, Others.

†Comorbidity: variables from the National Health Insurance Service.


References

  1. World Health Organization. Global tuberculosis report 2020.
  2. Korea Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention. 2019 Annual report on the notified tuberculosis in Korea 2019. KCDC; 2020.
  3. Shim TS, Koh WJ, Yim JJ, Lew WJ. Treatment of latent tuberculosis infection in Korea. Tuberc Respir Dis 2008;65:79-90.
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  4. Greg J. Fox, Nguyen V. Nhung, et al. Household- Contact Investigation for Detection of Tuberculosis in Vietnam. N Engl J Med 2018;378:221-229.
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  5. Lobue P, Menzies D. Treatment of latent tuberculosis infection: an update. Respirology 2010;15:603-622.
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  6. Haileyesus Getahun, Alberto Matteelli, et al. Latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection. N Engl J Med 2015;372(22):2127-2135.
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