title: Rifampicin plus isoniazid for the prevention of tuberculosis in an immigrant population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the tolerance, adherence and effectiveness of two approaches for the treatment of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI): 6 months of isoniazid (6H) vs. 3 months of isoniazid plus rifampicin (3RH).
  
  
  METHODS
  Immigrants with LTBI.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were  enrolled in a controlled, randomised clinical trial in Barcelona, Spain, from April 2001 to April 2005. Monthly follow-up was done to assess tolerance, side effects and adherence. Effectiveness was evaluated at 5 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the 590 subjects enrolled, the rate of adherence was greater  in the 3RH than in the 6H arm (72% vs. 52.4%, P = 0.001). No differences between study arms were observed with respect to hepatotoxicity or side effects. Variables associated with non-adherence were diagnosis by screening (OR 1.88, 95%CI 1.26-2.82, P = 0.001), illegal immigration  status (OR 1.48, 95%CI 1.01-2.15, P = 0.03), unemployment (OR 1.91, 95%CI 1.28-2.85, P = 0.0008), illiteracy (OR 1.73, 95%CI 1.04-2.88, P = 0.02), lack of family support (OR 3.7, 95%CI 2.54-5.4, P = 0.001) and the 6-month treatment regimen  (OR 2.45, 95%CI 1.68-3.57, P = 0.0001). None of the patients who completed either treatment developed tuberculosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 3RH regimen facilitates adherence to LTBI treatment and offers a safe, well-tolerated and effective alternative.
authors: Unidad de Prevención y Control de la Tuberculosis de Barcelona, Servei d'Atenció Primària Suport al Diagnóstic i al Tractament, Institut Català de la Salut, Barcelona, Spain. ajimenezf.bcn.ics@gencat.cat
authors: M A
authors: MA
authors: Jiménez-Fuentes
authors: M L
authors: ML
authors: de Souza-Galvao
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Mila Augé
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Solsona Peiró
authors: M N
authors: MN
authors: Altet-Gómez
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007538:Isoniazid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D055985:Latent Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012293:Rifampin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents; D007538:Isoniazid; D012293:Rifampin