Tuberculosis in the intensive care unit: a chemotherapeutic controversy

A survey of 150 practicing pulmonary physicians was conducted to determine chemotherapy preferences for the treatment of the patient suffering respiratory insufficiency secondary to active nonmiliary tuberculosis. An equal sample was selected from both the private sector and academic medicine in order to determine if antituberculous agent selection differed between these two groups. The majority of the 109 physicians who responded to the questionnaire (64.2%) indicated that they would use isoniazid, rifampin, and a third agent. There was no statistical difference in the choice of ethambutol, pyrazinamide, or streptomycin as the third drug. There was no difference between university and community based physicians in the use of three drug combinations or in the selection of the specific third agent. This study suggests that, although the majority of pulmonologists responding would treat the patient with respiratory insufficiency from tuberculosis with an aggressive three drug approach, there is no consensus as to which agent should be the third drug.