Results of short course chemotherapy in pulmonary tuberculosis patients excluded from the main analysis of a controlled clinical trial

Mehrotra, M.L.; Gautum, K.D.; Chaube, C.K. and Mishra, J.P. (1985) Results of short course chemotherapy in pulmonary tuberculosis patients excluded from the main analysis of a controlled clinical trial. Indian Journal of Tuberculosis, 32 (4). pp. 176-178.

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Abstract

Fate of 102 patients excluded for various reasons (51 with a history of previous treatment for tuberculosis, 20 with negative cultures, and 31 defaulters) from a controlled clinical trial to study the efficacy of 3 and 4.5 months regimens is reported. Among previously treated patients, though sputum conversion by culture was achieved m 88%, relapse rates during the two years follow-up were extremely high—90% for the 3 months regimens, and 63 % for the 4.5 months regimens. At the time of relapse, most of the patients receiving 3 months regimens had drug resistant strains while most of the patients receiving 4.5 month regimens had drug susceptible strains. In smear positive, culture negative patients both the 3 and 4.5 months regimens were highly effective and there were no relapses during 2 years’ follow-up. In previously untreated but defaulter patients, results were favourable provided they continued treatment inspite of temporary default and completed the stipulated number of doses. Relapse rates were 29 % for 3 months regimens and 8 % for 4.5 months regimens during the 2 years’ follow up.

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