[Tuberculosis complicated with liver cirrhosis].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to examine the clinical characteristics of tuberculous patients complicated with liver cirrhosis.


METHODS
44 patients (39 males and 5 females) admitted to Tokyo National Hospital since 1991 till 2005 were analysed.


RESULTS
Eighteen patients died and liver failure was the leading cause of death (N = 10). Hepatitis C viral infection (N = 17), and excessive alcohol consumption (N = 13) were the major causes of liver cirrhosis. Twenty five patients followed-up for more than 3 months were further selected for the detailed analyses. Multi-drug combination chemotherapy including isoniazid, rifampicin and ethambutol was administered in 22 patients. Adverse effects were seen in 20 patients. The numbers of patients with leukopenia, thrombocytopenia and hyperbilirubinemia were 10, 9 and 3, respectively. They recovered following the alteration of chemotherapeutic regimen or drug desensitization.


CONCLUSIONS
Tuberculous patients with liver cirrhosis are characterized with higher mortality rate and higher frequency of adverse effects of antituberculous chemotherapy. Multi-drug combination regimen could be tolerable under adequate surveillance of side effects even in the situation of preexisting liver dysfunction.
Saito
Akira
A
Department of Respiratory Disease, National Hospital Organization Tokyo National Hospital. asaitou-tky@umin.ac.jp
Nagayama
Naohiro
N
Yagi
Osamitsu
O
Ohshima
Nobuharu
N
Tamura
Atsuhisa
A
Nagai
Hideaki
H
Akagawa
Shinobu
S
Kawabe
Yoshiko
Y
Machida
Kazuko
K
Kurashima
Atsuyuki
A
Yotsumoto
Hideki
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy
D000995:Antitubercular Agents