ABSTRACT
To evaluate the risk factors involved in antituberculosis treatment-induced hepatotoxicity. In a retrospective study we analyzed the rate of drug-induced hepatotoxicity in a sample of 456 patients. Patients received a combination of drugs including isoniazid, rifampin, pirazinamide and streptomycinor or ethambutol. The association among hepatotoxicity and several risk factors (age, sex, alcoholism and HIV infection) was studied by univariate methods, stratified analysis and the multiple logistic regression model. Signs of liver injury were found in 9.86 percent of the treated patients. In the logistic model, the adjusted odds ratios (OR) and significance were found as follows: a) for alcoholism, OR=17.31 (95 percent CI:6.35-47.16), p<0.001; b) for HIV infection, OR=3.23 (95 percent CI:1.47-7.11), p=0.003 and c) for female Sex, OR=2.44 (95 percent CI:1.22-4.86), p=0.011. Age was not significantly associated with hepatotoxicity. Alcoholism, HIV infection and female sex were associated with an increased risk of hepatotoxicity in this study.