TY - JOUR T1 - Adverse events during treatment for latent tuberculosis infection JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J VL - 38 IS - Suppl 55 SP - p4404 AU - Claudia C. Dobler AU - Guy B. Marks Y1 - 2011/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/p4404.abstract N2 - Aim: To determine adverse events in patients taking treatment for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI).Methods: Records of all patients who received treatment for LTBI at the Chest Clinic of a large tertiary hospital between 01/2000 and 04/2008 were reviewed. An adverse event was defined as any change in health status that led to treatment interruption or cessation. Liver function tests were not performed routinely during follow-up, except when the patient was considered to be at an increased risk of developing hepatitis.Results: Of 201 patients in whom treatment for LTBI was initiated 143 (71%) received isoniazid for 6 months, 32 (15%) received a combination of isoniazid and rifampicin for 6 months, and the remainder were treated with different regimens. Their mean (SD) age was 21 (17) years and 44% were male. Nineteen patients (9.5%) experienced an adverse event. Seven patients developed a rash, four had lethargy and/or mood disorders, three had subclinical hepatitis, four experienced severe nausea, vomiting and/or other gastrointestinal symptoms and three had features of peripheral neuropathy. In eight patients who experienced an adverse event medication was temporarily ceased and then re-started without change; in four the treatment regimen was changed; and in seven the treatment was ceased completely. The risk of adverse events was not significantly related to age, sex, drug regimen (single drug versus combination therapy) or baseline transaminase levels.Conclusions: In this cohort almost 1 in 10 patients on treatment for LTBI experienced an adverse event. Although the adverse events were generally mild to moderate, this risk has to be taken into account when deciding whether to advise treatment for LTBI. ER -