ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: To study the degree of adhesion, efficacy, and tolerance of therapeutic guidelines advocated by the National Consensus on tuberculosis. METHODS: A prospective study of a cohort of 84 patients receiving a diagnosis of tuberculosis in a Basic General Health Area between 1-3-1993 and 28-2-1994 treated with the regimen recommended by the National Council. The patients were evaluated clinically and microbiologically during the treatment and during twelve months follow-up. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients (61.9%) were male and 32 (38.1%) female, aged 29.9 +/- 19.7 years (r = 1-84 years). Seventy-four (88.1%) were index cases and 10 (11.4%) household contacts. Eight patients (9.5%) were also infected with HIV, 71 (84.5%) presented pulmonary tuberculosis and 13 (15.5%) extrapulmonary forms. Therapeutic compliance was correct in 80 cases (95.2%) and incorrect in 4 (4.8%). It was well-tolerated in 73 patients (91.2%), there was slight toxicity in five (6.3%) and severe in two (2.5%). Seventy-four patients (88.1%) were cured, there was one therapeutic failure (1.2%) and five relapses (6%). Overall mortality was 4.8% and attributable mortality 1.2%. CONCLUSION: Our results seem to confirm a high degree of adhesion, good tolerance and acceptable therapeutic efficacy of the scheme proposed by the National Council.
