Bedaquiline Correlation to QT Interval Prolongation in DR-TB Patients

Abstract

Introduction: Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (DR-TB) requires adequate treatment. Bedaquiline is a priority medicine in the treatment regimen of DR-TB. One of the adverse events is QT interval prolongation, which can increase the risk of torsade de pointes (TdP) and lead to death. DR-TB patient screening before starting the treatment and monitoring QT interval during the treatment should be performed. This study aimed to determine Bedaquiline correlation to QT interval prolongation in DR-TB patients. Methods: This was a retrospective study using an observational design by viewing medical records of DR-TB patients who underwent treatment from January 2019 to March 2022. Results: This study involved 46 DR-TB patients with a regimen of Bedaquiline. The comparison of Baseline QT intervals before and after one month of therapy showed QT interval prolongation (457.1 ± 18.2 ms and 443.8 ± 10.2 ms; p < 0.001). The comparison of QT intervals before the therapy and six months after the therapy showed prolongation QT intervals (443.8 ± 10.2 ms and 458.4 ± 23.7 ms; p < 0.001). QT intervals after one month of therapy compared to six months after the therapy showed insignificant slight prolongation (457.1 ± 18.2 ms and 458.4 ± 23.7 ms; p = 0.587). Conclusion: QT interval prolongation occurred in DR-TB patients who received treatment using Bedaquiline regimen. It was seen significantly between baseline QT interval compared to after receiving the therapy for one month and baseline QT interval compared to after receiving the therapy for six months.