Authors: Menzies, D.; Dion, M-J.; Francis, D.; Parisien, I.; Rocher, I.; Mannix, S.; Schwartzman, K.

Source: The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Volume 9, Number 12, December 2005 , pp. 1343-1348(6)

Publisher: International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Current therapy for latent TB infection (LTBI) is long, and requires close follow-up. This results in sub-optimal adherence—the major reason for failure of therapy.

METHODS: In an open label randomised trial comparing 4 months of rifampicin with 9 months of isoniazid, the proportion and regularity of doses taken, measured with an electronic monitoring system (MEMS®), and provider estimates of adherence in the first month of therapy, were assessed as predictors of treatment completion.

RESULTS: Of 104 patients analysed, 86 took more than 80% of doses within the expected interval, 11 took more than 80% of doses but over a longer time interval than usually allowed, and seven did not complete treatment. Treatment completion was associated with the number of doses taken, and the variability of intervals between doses during the first month of treatment.

CONCLUSIONS: Adherence in the first month, based on the number of doses and variability of times when taken, could be useful to predict completion of LTBI therapy. Interventions could be targeted to patients with sub-optimal adherence in the first month.

Keywords: preventive treatment; TB prevention; adherence; adherence measurement; latent TB infection

Document Type: Regular paper

Affiliations: 1: Respiratory Epidemiology and Clinical Research Unit, Montreal Chest Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Publication date: 2005-12-01

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• The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease publishes articles on all aspects of lung health, including public health-related issues such as training programmes, cost-benefit analysis, legislation, epidemiology, intervention studies and health systems research. The IJTLD is dedicated to the continuing education of physicians and health personnel and the dissemination of information on tuberculosis and lung health world-wide.

  Certain IJTLD articles are selected for translation into French, Spanish, Chinese or Russian. They are available on the Union website

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