title: Is a 4-month regimen adequate to cure patients with non-cavitary tuberculosis and negative cultures at 2 months?
abstract: A recent trial evaluating a 4-month regimen of standard drugs in adults with non-cavitary tuberculosis (TB) and negative cultures at 2 months failed to demonstrate equivalence compared to the same regimen given for 6 months. To contribute further evidence, data from two trials conducted by the British Medical Research Council (BMRC) comparing 4 and 6 month regimens were re-analysed. The results from the BMRC trials in patients with non-cavitary TB and negative cultures at 2 months were consistent with those from the recent trial. However, given that there was no acquired drug resistance, the estimated 6.6% relapse rate (95%CI 4.3-10.1) across all three trials might be considered acceptable for a 4-month regimen in patients with non-cavitary pulmonary TB.
authors.affiliation: Medical Research Council Clinical Trials Unit, London, UK. patrick.phillips@ctu.mrc.ac.uk
authors.forename: P P J
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Nunn
authors.forename: N I
authors.initials: NI
authors.lastname: Paton
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents