study on the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis in Al-Anbar governorate

ABSTRACT

Two antituberculosis, 6- and 9- month regimens were evaluated on 96 patients, from Al-Anbar governorate, with active tuberculosis. The patients received one of the two regimens and this was determined by the availability of drugs. 20 patients received the 9- month regimen [2SRH/7RH] which was based on daily administration of rifampicin [R, 600mg], isoniazid [H, 300mg] with addition of streptomycin [S, 0.75-1g] during the first two months. 76 patients received 6- month regiment [2SRHZ/4RH] which was based on the supplement of pyrazinamide [Z, 2g] during the first two months. 79 [82.3%] of patients were cured, with cure-rate of [85.5%] and [70%], defaulters 5 [6.6%] and 4 [20%], failure cases 5 [6.6%] and 1 [5%], and death 1 [1.3%] and 1 [5%] for the 6- and 9- month regimens respectively. It is concluded that the addition of pyrazinamide and giving treatment for 6 months rather than 9 months makes the treatment superior to the classical 9- month regimen without pyrazinamide in terms of efficacy and compliance