ADVERSE EVENTS TO FIRST LINE ANTI-TUBERCULOSIS DRUGS IN PATIENTS CO-INFECTED WITH HIV AND TUBERCULOSIS

The combination and use of multiple drugs in the treatment of tuberculosis (TB) predispose to adverse drug events and reactions. This study evaluated the incidence, frequency, and severity of adverse events to first line anti-tuberculosis (anti-TB) drugs in patients with TB and co-infections with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of HIV status on the risk of developing adverse events to first line anti-TB therapy.

The study was carried out between 2006 and 2007 when TB therapy was administered without concomitant anti-retroviral therapy. Patients with TB presenting at the chest clinic of a tertiary hospital were sequentially enrolled. Those with TB alone were allocated to the first group while those with TB-HIV infection were allocated to a second group. A checklist of adverse events to the drugs was used to screen for adverse drug events and reactions during the period of anti-TB therapy. Adverse drug events were graded as serious and others (mild-moderate).

One hundred and three patients completed the study. Thirty one (30.1%) of the patients had TB-HIV co-infection. Majority (70.4%) of the events were detected during the first week of therapy, 92% of these events were mild-moderate. Eight (25.5%) of those with TB-HIV co-infection had serious adverse events. All the serious events occurred in the TB-HIV group. Independent factors for occurrence of ADEs include HIV status, increasing age, and female gender.

The rate of adverse drug events among patients on first line antituberculosis treatment was higher in HIV co-infected patients.