[Relapse rate of pulmonary tuberculosis within two years following completion of twice weekly intermittent...

To evaluate the relapse rate after treatment of a twice weekly intermittent chemotherapy during continuation phase in the patients with pulmonary tuberculosis in two years period after completion of chemotherapy.

The patients with drug susceptible pulmonary tuberculosis treated with 2HRZE/4H2R2 under the supervision by the pharmacists or the patients treated with 2HRZE/4HR by self-administration were followed-up for two years after completion of chemotherapy.

A total number of 135 pulmonary tuberculosis patients were treated with 2HRZE/4H2R2, 3 of 135 discontinued this intermittent treatment, and 11 of 135 completed chemotherapy was excluded from the relapse analysis, 105 out of the remaining 121 were followed-up for more than 6 months. On the other hand 240 patients were treated with 2HRZE/4HR, 37 out of 240 were excluded from the analysis, 147 of the remaining 203 were followed-up for more than 6 months. The relapse rate of this intermittent chemotherapy 1.89/100 person-year was similar to the relapse rate 1.86/100 person-year among 147 treated with daily regimen by self-administration. This difference was not statistically significant (z = 0.36, P = 0.14).

As regards relapse rate, this 2HRZE/4H2R2 regimen is effective and useful for the expansion of DOT, and it should be expanded nationally in Japan.