Ultra-short-course chemotherapy for spinal tuberculosis: five years of observation.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to explore the feasibility of ultra-short-course chemotherapy in the treatment of spinal tuberculosis.


METHODS
One hundred and eighty-five patients with confirmed spinal tuberculosis and surgical indication were included. The chemotherapy regimen was 2SHRZ/XHRZ. According to the duration of the chemotherapy, the patients were divided into two groups, the ultra-short-course chemotherapy group with an average duration of 4.5 months, and the standard chemotherapy group with an average duration of 9 months. The same surgery was performed for patients in the two groups.


RESULTS
The duration of the follow-up ranged from 61 to 87 months, with an average of 69.1 months. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein, kyphosis and nerve function, recovery of work, and activities of daily living were not significantly different between the two groups before or after treatment; however, the aforementioned indices were significantly different before and after treatment within groups. There was no significant difference in postoperative bone graft healing between the two groups. The drug side effects were significantly different between the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
With thorough focus debridement, bone grafting, and internal fixation, the efficacy of ultra-short chemotherapy was similar to that of standard chemotherapy for the treatment of spinal tuberculosis. The ultra-short-course chemotherapy can shorten the course of treatment and reduce drug side effects.
Department of Spine Surgery, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, No 804, Shengli Street, Yinchuan 750004, Ningxia, China.
Zili
Z
Wang
Jiandang
J
Shi
Guangqi
G
Geng
Hongyan
H
Qiu
D000328:Adult; D000904:Antibiotics, Antitubercular / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D003646:Debridement; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012293:Rifampin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014399:Tuberculosis, Spinal / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery
D000904:Antibiotics, Antitubercular; D012293:Rifampin