## RNTCP Definition of Treatment Success **Key Point:** Treatment success under RNTCP is defined as **completion of the full course of anti-TB drugs with bacteriological evidence of cure** (negative sputum smear at the end of treatment or during follow-up). ### Treatment Outcomes Classification (RNTCP) | Outcome | Definition | Criteria | | --- | --- | --- | | **Cured** | Treatment completed + bacteriological evidence of cure | Negative sputum at end of Rx or during follow-up | | **Treatment Completed** | Full course completed without bacteriological evidence | May have clinical improvement only | | **Treatment Success** | Cured + Treatment Completed | Combined success rate | | **Failed** | Sputum positive after 5 months of therapy | Indicates drug resistance | | **Lost to Follow-up** | Interrupted treatment for ≥3 consecutive months | — | | **Died** | Death during treatment from any cause | — | **High-Yield:** RNTCP tracks **treatment success rate** as the sum of "Cured" and "Treatment Completed" cases. This is a key performance indicator for TB programs. **Warning:** Sputum conversion at 2 months is an **intermediate milestone**, not the definition of success. A patient must complete the entire 6-month course to be counted as "treatment success." **Clinical Pearl:** Bacteriological evidence of cure (negative sputum smear) is mandatory for the "Cured" category. Clinical improvement alone without microbiological confirmation is insufficient.
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