Trends and treatment outcomes of TB among people living with HIV: a nationwide cohort study, 2011-2022
In brief
TB treatment death rate stays near 15% in Korean HIV patients
From 2011 to 2022 the number of TB-HIV cases in South Korea fell from 120 to 35, yet mortality during TB therapy remained steady at roughly 10-20 percent, about twice the rate in the general TB population. Older age, comorbidities and starting antiretroviral therapy after TB diagnosis drove the excess deaths, highlighting the need for earlier HIV care integration.
- Journal
- The international journal of tuberculosis and lung disease : the official journal of the International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (Q1)
- Published
- 31 July 2026
- Study design
- Cohort / observational study
- Evidence level
- Level 3, Low (CEBM 3b)
- Authors
- C Chung, W Choi, S W Lee, D Jeong, H Choi, H Sohn, et al.
- PMID
- 42538626
- DOI
- 10.5588/ijtld.25.0756
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Epidemiology (paper of the day, 2 August 2026): Nationwide cohort study of TB trends and outcomes among PLHIV
Abstract
<sec><title>BACKGROUND</title>Recent trends and treatment outcomes of TB among people living with HIV (PLHIV) have been understudied in Korea.</sec><sec><title>METHODS</title>Using the nationwide K-TB-N cohort, we identified individuals with TB registered between 2011 and 2022. Among 373,812 TB cases, 931 had TB-HIV co-infection. TB treatment outcomes were compared between PLHIV and the general population using propensity score matching. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models, including stratified and sensitivity analyses, were used to identify factors associated with death during TB treatment among PLHIV.</sec><sec><title>RESULTS</title>Most of TB-HIV patients were males (91.9%), under 60 years old (82.1%), and approximately 90% received antiretroviral therapy (ART). The number of TB-HIV cases declined from 120 in 2011 to 35 in 2022. Lost to follow-up and not evaluated outcomes decreased over time, whereas mortality remained stable at 10%-20%. The overall TB treatment success rate was 76.9% and mortality was higher than general population. Mortality was associated with older age and comorbidity burden, whereas ART showed a protective association only when initiated before TB diagnosis.</sec><sec><title>CONCLUSION</title>TB incidence among PLHIV in South Korea has declined over the past decade, but mortality during TB treatment remains high, driven largely by host-related factors including age and comorbidities.</sec>.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.