Under the NTEP, the criteria for declaring a TB patient as 'Lost to Follow-up' is:
- A Interruption of treatment for 1 consecutive month or more
- B Missing more than 5 doses in any month
- C Interruption of treatment for 2 consecutive months or more ✓
- D Not attending DOTS center for 3 consecutive weeks
Correct answer: C. Interruption of treatment for 2 consecutive months or more
Explanation
Under NTEP, a patient is defined as 'Lost to Follow-up' (previously termed 'defaulter') when treatment has been interrupted for 2 or more consecutive months. This is the current WHO-aligned terminology adopted in India. Treatment failure is defined as sputum smear or culture positivity at month 5 or later. 'Not evaluated' refers to patients whose outcome has not been assigned by end of reporting period. Timely identification of patients lost to follow-up triggers active case finding and contact tracing.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.