High Failure Rates of Melarsoprol for Sleeping Sickness in Congo
Author Information
Author(s): Robays Jo, Nyamowala Gaspard, Sese Claude, Kande Victor Betu Ku Mesu, Lutumba Pascal, Van der Veken Wim, Boelaert Marleen
Primary Institution: Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
Hypothesis
What are the failure rates of melarsoprol treatment for sleeping sickness in the Democratic Republic of Congo?
Conclusion
The study found a treatment failure rate of 19.5% for melarsoprol in patients with sleeping sickness in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Supporting Evidence
- A total of 4,925 patients were included in the study.
- 19.5% of patients treated with melarsoprol experienced a relapse.
- The highest relapse rates were observed in the central part of the province.
- Relapse rates increased over the three years of the study.
- Only 4.8% of patients with first-stage illness experienced a relapse.
Takeaway
Doctors found that a lot of people treated for sleeping sickness with a medicine called melarsoprol didn't get better, which is a big problem.
Methodology
A retrospective chart review of patients treated with melarsoprol for sleeping sickness from 2001 to 2003.
Potential Biases
Some patients who did not return for follow-up may have died or sought treatment elsewhere.
Limitations
The failure rate may be underestimated due to patients not returning for follow-up visits.
Participant Demographics
{"sex":{"male":433,"female":526},"age":{"infants":1,"toddlers":13,"children_and_adults":936,"elderly":9},"disease_stage":{"first_stage":46,"second_stage":782,"unknown":131}}
Statistical Information
P-Value
<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website