Incidence Of Hepatitis In Patients Taking Anti Tuberculous Treatment.

Abstract

In present study, incidence of hepatitis has been studied in patients taking Anti tuberculous treatment (ATT) who were admitted in Institute of Chest Medicine, Mayo Hospital, Lahore during the months of June, July & August 97. During this period, 133 patients were put on ATT and among those 68(51.13%) were male and 65 patients (48.87% were female. Out of 133 patients, 11(8.27%) developed jaundice (Male 7 & female 4). Age range was 1640 years but S out of 11(72.72%) were above 35 years of age. Time interval between start of ATT & appearance of jaundice varied between 3 days to 92 days. All the patients were on Rafampicin (R), INH (H), Ethambutol (E) and Pyrazinamide (Z). On appearance of jaundice, RHZ were stopped and patients were continued on Streptomycin (S), Ethambutol (E) and ciprofloxacin (cipro). Two out of 11 patients died during the treatment although their liver function tests were showing favourable response. Eight patients are being followed to-date. Jaundice disappeared in all eight patients in 12-60 days. ATT is generally well tolerated. In the present study the incidence of jaundice is 8.2% which is higher than previously reported studies. Secondly majority of those who developed jaundice (8 out of 11 i.e. 72.7%) are above 35 years. Therefore, it is recommended that patients who are more than 35 years of age and receiving ATT should be closely watched for evidence of drug induced hepatitis.