[Recovery criteria and time in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis]

A new technology of medical service of those followed up at tuberculosis control dispensaries (TCD) was developed on the basis of analysis of the data available in the literature. In doing so, the author took into account the specific features of clinical manifestations of ROT, the pattern and rates of involution of a tuberculous process with current therapeutical and diagnostic capacities borne in mind. This made it possible to define the optimum duration of a basic course of combined treatment in patients with ROT, new principles of evaluation of the outcomes of treatment, criteria for clinical recovery, as well as the procedure and duration of a follow-up. Testing this technology indicated that the latter enhanced the efficiency and profitability of TCD activities by reducing the duration of the basic course of treatment (by an average of 9-11 months), by accelerating the time of statement of ROT recovery (by 1-2 years), by decreasing follow-up periods in control TCD groups (by an average of 3 years), by drastically reducing the number of persons to receive drug therapy for preventive purposes (by 58-70%). Moreover, it may be used extensively in all regions of Russia and requires no additional logistic means and resources.