Predictors of Re-Emerging Tuberculosis: A Review

Tuberculosis (TB) is a deadly disease that still remains a global burden despite of world-wide
measures to curb the disease. As of 2015, the goals of the WHO STOP TB Strategy (2006-2015)
have been met and the new WHO End TB Strategy (2015-2030) has been implemented with aim of
eradicating the disease. Following that, further studies have demonstrated that TB is a disease
that cannot be controlled purely by anti-tuberculous medication alone. It is widely understood
that various factors such as rising income inequality, overcrowding populations, compliance to
healthcare and resistance pose great barriers to the eradication of disease. In many developing
countries including Malaysia, TB is showing or re-emerging trend in both reported cases and resistance. Various predictors for poor disease outcome have been mentioned in the literature such
as demographic factors, socio-economic instability and severe comorbidities amongst the population. Therefore, a prompt review and understanding of the factors at play in the sequestration of
TB cases in high risk groups may better inform preventative measures in the future.