Objective To explore the factors influencing 2-month sputum smear conversion (2m-SSC) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and tuberculosis, and to establish a prediction model for 2m-SSC. Methods The initial and follow-up medical records of inpatients with SLE and sputum smear-positive tuberculosis in West China Hospital of Sichuan University from December 2013 to September 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Single factor analyses and multivariable Firth’s logistic regression were used to determine the influencing factors of 2m-SSC, and a prediction model for 2m-SSC was established. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity were calculated to evaluate the performance of the model. Results A total of 91 patients with SLE and sputum smear-positive tuberculosis were ultimately included, with 8 cases in the non-conversion group and 83 in the conversion group. There were statistically significant differences in white blood cell count, total bilirubin, indirect bilirubin (IBIL), triglyceride, and rheumatoid factor (RF) between the two groups (P<0.05). Serum RF [odds ratio (OR)=2.271, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.312, 4.350), P=0.003], IBIL [OR=2.363, 95%CI (1.206, 5.045), P=0.013], and glucose [OR=2.058, 95%CI (1.016, 4.280), P=0.045] were identified as risk factors unfavorable to 2m-SSC outcomes. The constructed model (including three variables: RF, IBIL, and glucose) had a good ability in predicting 2m-SSC [AUC=0.893, 95%CI (0.744, 1.000)], with a sensitivity of 87.5% and a specificity of 84.3%. Conclusion This study established a prediction model for 2m-SSC in patients with SLE and tuberculosis, and found the value of serum RF, IBIL, and glucose in predicting 2m-SSC, providing certain guidance for clinicians in treatment decisions.
Tuberculosis poses a significant challenge to global public health, characterized by high incidence rates, high drug resistance rates, high mortality rates, and lengthy treatment cycles. Patients with tuberculosis often experience stigma, which can adversely affect their treatment adherence, psychological state, and quality of life. Despite numerous reported interventions both domestically and internationally, there remains a lack of systematic research on personalized intervention strategies tailored to diverse ethnic groups within China’s multicultural context. This article aims to review the domestic and international status of stigma among tuberculosis patients, assessment tools, influencing factors, and intervention strategies, with the goal of providing references for developing effective management strategies for stigma in multicultural tuberculosis patient populations.