Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious bacterial infection and it is estimated that about a third of the world's population is infected with TB. There are a number of types, such as pulmonary TB (bacteria residing in a person's lungs) and spinal TB (in the spine). Some bacteria can be drug resistant and some people may have the infection alongside another medical condition. People suffer from severe cough, weakness and sweats, and some people still die from TB even though effective drug treatment has been around for many years. The incidence of TB has reduced in areas where the drugs are readily available. Preventing people from contracting TB in high-risk areas is a goal worth pursuing. The review of trials using isoniazid for a six- to 12-month period in people without HIV infection (HIV infected people were studied in another review) identified 11 trials involving over 90,000 people. Isoniazid was effective in preventing TB in 60% of people, although some did develop hepatitis. The findings showed that one person can be saved from getting TB when 35 people take isoniazid for six months, and one in every 200 treated will get hepatitis. The balance of benefits and harms need to be carefully considered for each setting where intervention is being considered.
阅读完整摘要
Although isoniazid (INH) is commonly used for treating tuberculosis (TB), it is also effective as preventive therapy.
研究目的
The objective of this review was to estimate the effect of six and 12 month courses of INH for preventing TB in HIV-negative people at increased risk of developing active TB.
检索策略
We searched the Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group Specialized Register (May 2003), CENTRAL (The Cochrane Library 2003, Issue 2), Science Citation Index (1955 to 1993), Cumulated Index Medicus (1960 to 1970), MEDLINE (1966 to May 2003), EMBASE (1974 to May 2003), and reference lists of articles.
纳入排除标准
Randomized controlled trials of INH preventive therapy for six months or more compared with placebo. Follow up for a minimum of two years. Trials enrolling patients with current or previously treated active TB or with known HIV infection were excluded. Criteria were applied by two reviewers independently.
资料收集与分析
Trial quality was assessed by two reviewers independently, and data extracted by one reviewer using a standardized extraction form.
主要结果
Eleven trials involving 73,375 patients were included. Trials were generally of high quality. Treatment with INH resulted in a risk ratio (RR) of developing active TB of 0.40, (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.31 to 0.52), over two years or longer. There was no significant difference between six and 12 month courses (RR 0.44, 95% CI 0.27 to 0.73 for six months, and 0.38, 95% CI 0.28 to 0.50 for 12 months). Preventive therapy reduced deaths from TB, but this effect was not seen for all-cause mortality. INH was associated with hepatotoxicity in 0.36% of people on six months of treatment and in 0.52% of people treated for 12 months.
作者结论
Isoniazid prevents active TB in diverse at-risk patients, and six- and 12-month regimens have a similar effect. The most recent trial included in the review was published in 1994, and we have not identified any relevant trials up to 2003. We therefore do not plan to update this review.
