title: Evaluation of multi-drug therapy for leprosy in the United States using daily rifampin.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the occurrence of relapse of multibacillary leprosy after multi-drug treatment including daily rifampin.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review was performed utilizing data from the National Hansen's Disease Program (NHDP) on patients with leprosy treated and followed from 1988-1997 who received multi-drug therapy including daily rifampin. The occurrence of relapse in this cohort was measured, and demographic data and various clinical variables were also gathered.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ultimately, 158 cases fulfilled the eligibility criteria. 77% of cases were multibacillary patients and were treated with 2 or 3 drug protocols at rates of 36% and 35% before and after 1992, respectively. Only one case of relapse was found, and this patient underwent 2-drug therapy versus 3-drug therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data are remarkable for the absence of relapse with daily rifampin, as contrasted with the published experience using the WHO protocol with monthly rifampin.
authors.affiliation: University of Texas Medical Branch Department of Dermatology, Galveston, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: Mara M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Dacso
authors.forename: Robert R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Jacobson
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Scollard
authors.forename: Barbara M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Stryjewska
authors.forename: John F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Prestigiacomo
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D002991:Clofazimine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003622:Dapsone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007917:Leprostatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007918:Leprosy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012293:Rifampin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D007917:Leprostatic Agents; D003622:Dapsone; D002991:Clofazimine; D012293:Rifampin