Survival Analysis and Associated Factors for Pulmonary Tuberculosis Death: Evidence from the Information System of Tuberculosis Disease and Mortality Surveillance in China

Background: Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is a severe infection, and its factors that influence survival have not been explored in some developed regions. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the factors that influence TB survival in China.

Methods: We acquired data of PTB deaths through matching two manage systems of PTB and mortality surveillance. The Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression model were used to identify the significant factors under various survival times.

Results: A total of 283 deaths were caused by PTB, in which 53.4% occurred during the first year. In the Cox regression model, regular sputum smear test could reduce the risk of PTB death from the result of one-, three-, and five-year survival; and history of PTB treatment could decline the risk of PTB death in the first year. Additionally, age of "75-90 years" and positive result of sputum smear test significantly increased the risk of PTB death for the findings of three- and five-year survival, while age of "60-75 years" could increase the probability of PTB death for five-year survival.

Conclusion: To reduce PTB deaths, more attention should be paid to the older group especially in the first year. Regular sputum smear test could effectively reduce the mortality of PTB cases. More evidence-based interventions should be implemented to enhance the survival of patients with PTB.