A retrospective survey was conducted on 19056 high-risk MDR-TB patients who were involved in the Global Fund Project in 6 provinces (autonomous regions) including Inner-Mongolia, Shandong, Henan, Hubei, Zhejiang and Guangdong from January 2010 to December 2011. The data regarding screening, treatment, and outcome of MDR-TB were collected and the prognostic factors for MDR-TB were analyzed.

19056 high-risk MDR-TB cases were screened, and MDR-TB detection rate was 12.3% (2338/19056). Of the 2338 confirmed MDR-TB cases, 68.4% (1599/2338) were enrolled in the treatment project; 739 cases were not included in the project, mainly due to their rejection (19.9%, 147/739). Among the 1599 cases who were enrolled into the treatment project, the conversion rate at the end of 6 month of treatment was 63.9% (1022/1599). New cases (70.8%, 206/291) got higher conversion rate than retreatment failure cases (56.5%, 187/331); difference was statistically significant (χ ²=17.11, P=0.009). With the increase in age, the conversion rate at the end of 6 months of treatment was gradually decreased. The conversion rate of 0-24 years age group (72.2%, 130/180) was much higher than that of 45-64 years age group (62.0%, 376/606) and older than 65 years age group (44.5%, 69/155); difference was statistically significant (χ ²=36.20, P<0.01). The treatment success rate was 43.2% (691/1599) among patients enrolled in treatment. New cases (48.5%, 141/291) achieved higher success rate than retreatment failure cases (38.1%, 126/331); difference was statistically significant (χ ²=15.37, P=0.018). The successful rate of females (47.4%, 213/449) was much higher than that of males (41.6%, 478/1150); difference was statistically significant (χ ²=4.54, P=0.033). With the increase in age, the successful rate was gradually decreased. The successful rate of 0-24 years age group (54.4%, 98/180) was much higher than that of 45-64 years age group (38.4%, 233/606) and older than 65 years age group (23.2%, 36/155); the difference was statistically significant (χ ²=49.83, P<0.01).

We should pay more attention to the screening of MDR-TB suspects. The treatment outcome of MDR-TB using standardized regimen did not reach the expectation level, especially for retreatment failure, male and elderly patients.