RESUMO
SETTING: Despite a steep increase in the number of individuals treated for latent tuberculous infection (LTBI), few data are available on how treatment is implemented. OBJECTIVE: To obtain baseline information on initiation and completion of treatment for LTBI in Norway in 2009. DESIGN: A descriptive cross-sectional study. RESULTS: All 721 patients treated for LTBI in 2009 in Norway were included, of whom 607 (84%) completed treatment. The treatment regimen generally consisted of 3 months of rifampicin and isoniazid. The three main reasons for starting treatment were: 1) countries of origin with high tuberculosis (TB) prevalence, 2) a positive tuberculin skin test, and 3) a positive interferon gamma release assay. The use of directly observed treatment varied by health region and age. The majority of the 34 medical specialists interviewed saw a need for new national guidelines to improve the selection of high-risk patients with LTBI. CONCLUSIONS: Management of LTBI is in accordance with current guidelines, with a high completion rate. More targeted selection of which patients should be offered preventive treatment is required, and new guidelines and tools to enhance risk assessment are necessary.
