title: A novel approach to monitoring adherence to preventive therapy for tuberculosis in adolescence.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the usefulness of a microelectronic tablet-dispenser for monitoring adherence to preventive therapy for tuberculosis infection in adolescents.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-one patients with positive Mantoux tests were treated with isoniazid (INH), dispensed in a microelectronic tablet-dispenser that recorded the date, time and duration that the container was opened. Other measures of adherence included attendance at clinic, patient self-report, tablet count, and measurement of urinary INH metabolites.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean adherence rates were: 83% using attendance at clinic, 91% using tablet counts, 79% using urine assays, and 66% using the electronic tablet-dispenser. Self-reporting appeared to over-estimate adherence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Adherence to 6 months of INH calculated using different measures is higher in this study than in previous reports. Microelectronic tablet-dispensers are an effective method to objectively measure adherence on a daily basis. Other measures are less helpful.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia. starrm@cryptic.rch.unimelb.edu.au
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Starr
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sawyer
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Carlin
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Powell
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Newman
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D004360:Drug Therapy, Computer-Assisted; D006801:Humans; D007538:Isoniazid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010865:Pilot Projects; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents; D007538:Isoniazid