title: Adverse effects and adherence to treatment of rifampicin 4 months vs isoniazid 6 months for latent tuberculosis: a retrospective analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare rates of treatment interruption because of side effects and completion rates between subjects treated for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) by isoniazid (INH) for 6 months and subjects treated with rifampicin (RIF) for 4 months.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective analysis of all patients treated for LTBI by INH (1993-2002) or RIF (2004-2007) based on a database including age, gender, prior liver diseases, alcohol consumption, completion rates, time and cause of interruption and monthly analysis of ASAT and ALAT.
  
  
  RESULTS
  624 subjects were included, 426 treated by INH and 198 by RIF. Gender, origin, history of prior hepatic disease and alcohol excess did not differ between groups. Treatment interruption because of hepatotoxicity was significantly higher in the INH group than in the RIF group (6.1% vs 2.0%; p = 0.03). Completion of treatment was significantly higher in the RIF group compared to the INH group (83% vs 74%; p = 0.02).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A 4-month RIF treatment was associated with significantly less interruption of treatment because of hepatotoxicity and higher completion rates compared to a 6-month INH regimen. These results support the RIF regimen as an alternative to the presently recommended 9 months of INH in clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pneumology, Geneva University Hospitals, 4, rue Gabrielle-Perret-Gentil, 1211 Geneva 14, Switzerland. isabelle.fresard@hcuge.ch
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Fresard
authors.forename: Pierre-Olivier
authors.initials: PO
authors.lastname: Bridevaux
authors.forename: Thierry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rochat
authors.forename: Jean-Paul
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Janssens
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007538:Isoniazid / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055985:Latent Tuberculosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012293:Rifampin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D007538:Isoniazid; D012293:Rifampin