Experiences of Latent Tuberculosis Infection Treatment for the North Korean Refugees

• Main Authors: Beong Ki Kim, M.D., Hee Jin Kim, M.D., Ho Jin Kim, M.D., Jae Hyung Cha, Ph.D., Jin Beom Lee, M.S., Jeonghe Jeon, M.Sc., Chi Young Kim, M.D., Young Kim, M.D., Je Hyeong Kim, M.D., Ph.D., Chol Shin, M.D., Ph.D., Seung Heon Lee, M.D., Ph.D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: The Korean Academy of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases 2019-10-01
• Series: Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• Subjects: latent tuberculosis infection; tuberculin test; interferon-gamma release tests; therapeutics; asian continental ancestry group; refugees
• Online Access: https://www.e-trd.org/search.php?where=aview&id=10.4046/trd.2019.0034&code=0003TRD&vmode=FULL

Background Tuberculosis (TB) is increasing in immigrants. We aimed to investigate the current status of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) treatment for North Korean Refugees (NKR) compared to South Koreans Contacts (SKC). Methods TB close contacts in a closed facility of SKC and NKR who underwent LTBI screening in a settlement support center for NKR were analyzed retrospectively. Results Among tuberculin skin test (TST) ≥10 mm (n=298) reactors, the males accounted for 72.2% in SKC (n=126) and 19.5% in NKR (n=172) (p<0.01). The mean age was higher in South Korea (42.8±9.9 years vs. 35.4±10.0 years, p<0.01). Additionally, the mean TST size was significantly bigger in NKR (17.39±3.9 mm vs. 16.57±4.2 mm, p=0.03). The LTBI treatments were initiated for all screened NKR, and LTBI completion rate was only 68.0%. However, in NKR, LTBI treatment completion rate was significantly increased by shorter 4R regimen (odds ratio [OR], 9.296; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.159–20.774; p<0.01) and male (OR, 3.447; 95% CI, 1.191–9.974; p=0.02). Conclusion LTBI treatment compliance must be improved in NKR with a shorter regimen. In addition, a larger study regarding a focus on LTBI with easy access to related data for NKR should be conducted.