SHORT-COURSE (6-MONTH) COOPERATIVE TUBERCULOSIS STUDY IN POLAND - RESULTS 30 MONTHS AFTER COMPLETION OF TREATMENT

Abstract

This final report compared the efficacy of four 6-mo. chemotherapy regimens 30 mo. after the completion of treatment. All patients received isoniazid, rifampin and ethambutol daily in hospital for the first 8 wk of treatment. One group continued to receive these 3 drugs daily as outpatients for an additional 18 wk; a 2nd group received the same drugs twice-weekly and a 3rd group received the 3 drugs once-weekly during the 18-wk continuation phase. A 4th group of patients received 2 drugs, isoniazid and rifampin, twice-weekly during the continuation phase. Drug toxicity was not a major problem; drugs were permanently discontinued in only 1% of the patients. All 4 regimens were highly effective in achieving sputum negativity. The relapse rate was relatively high for all regimens (range, 8-22%).