To investigate the epidemiological characteristics and treatment outcomes of elderly patients with rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (RR-TB) in Chongqing, and to provide evidence for the formulation of prevention and control policies for drug-resistant tuberculosis in elderly population in Chongqing. MethodsData of RR-TB patients registered in Chongqing from 2011 to 2022 were collected through the tuberculosis surveillance module of National Health Security Information Project-Disease Prevention and Control Information System. Then, RR-TB patients over 65 years were screened. Retrospectively, descriptive epidemiological methods were used to analyze the epidemiological characteristics and treatment outcomes of elderly patients with RR-TB, and to compare them with RR-TB in the whole population.

A total of 5 797 RR-TB patients were registered in Chongqing from 2011 to 2022, among which 885 were over 65 years old, accounting for 15.27%. The annual average patient registration rate of elderly RR-TB patients was 1.81/100 000, showed an increasing trend year by year.(,P<0.05). The elderly RR-TB patients were mainly male (80.90%), local population(75.03%), farmers (56.61%) and re-treatment (57.18%). The elderly RR-TB patients of local population, farmers and newly diagnosed patients increased year by year (,22.904,21.581, all P<0.05). In the number of elderly RR-TB patients, the central urban area accounted for the most (29.49%), and the city cluster of Wuling Mountain area in southeast Chongqing. There were statistical differences between different areas. In terms of region, the new area of the main city accounted for the most (29.49%), and the town of Wuling Mountain area in southeast Chongqing accounted for the lowest (12.88%), There were statistical differences between different areas (χ²=42.422, P<0.05). The treatment acceptance rate of elderly RR-TB patients registered from 2011 to 2020 was 83.52%, and the treatment success rate was only 34.59%. The main reasons for unsuccessful treatment were death (19.96%)and loss to follow(28.60%).

The epidemic situation of RR-TB in the elderly is serious.Initial drug resistance, treatment acceptance, standardized management should be paid special attention.