Once a week short-term tuberculosis therapy

Abstract

Seventy patients were used as subjects for the present study from among those in the Tuberculosis Chemotherapy Unit, University Health Centre, Banaras Hindu University and were randomly designated to either the five month intermittent regimen or the twelve month standard regimen. Fifteen patients were excluded from the main analysis either due to drug toxicity or non-compliance. There was a significant difference in drug default in the short-term regimen (3.3%) in comparison to the standard regimen (17.5%). Radiological improvement was observed following three months (P<0.005). After a period of five months (P<0.001) statistically significant differences were also observed. Bacteriological conversion occurred faster in the rifampicin containing regimen. Three (10%) patients on rifampicin showed 'flu-like' symptoms, while four (13.33%) exhibited muscular weakness. Two (5%) patients on thiacetazone suffered from exfoliative dermatitis, and streptomycin toxicity occurred in five (7.15) patients. A twelve month post-study revealed a relapse in 3.7% of the patients in the short-term regimen and 7.14% of those in the standard regimen.