Hepatotoxicity from antituberculous therapy in the elderly: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Elderly persons have the highest rates of tuberculosis (TB) in the United States compared to all other age groups. A systematic literature review was conducted to determine if older age was a risk factor for hepatotoxicity resulting from treatment with first-line drugs used to treat active (TB) and latent tuberculosis (LTBI). METHODS: A systematic review of MEDLINE, Cochrane Controlled Trial Registry, CINAHL(®), and Science Citation Index Expanded (from 1970 to 2011) was performed to determine the risk of hepatotoxicity, comparing those over 60 with those under 60. A meta-analysis was performed using a random effects model along with log odds ratios and the chi-square test. FINDINGS: Thirty-eight studies (40,034 participants; 1208 cases of hepatotoxicity) met the selection criteria. For active TB, an overall mean effect of 0.277 (p = 0.024, 95% CI: 0.037-0.517) was observed, which is equivalent to an odds ratio of 1.32 (95% CI: 1.04-1.68). For LTBI, an overall mean effect of 1.42 (p < 0.001, 95% CI: 0.794-2.05) was observed, which translates to an odds ratio of 4.14 (95% CI: 2.21-7.74). INTERPRETATION: Our analysis revealed that patients older than 60 had significantly more risk of hepatotoxicity. These studies suggest that a gentler regimen of treatment for older individuals could benefit health outcomes in this population of TB patients and minimize risks to the public's health.

Malaria treatment policies and drug efficacy in Haiti from 1955-2012.

OBJECTIVES: Chloroquine (CQ), after 67 years of use in Haiti, is still part of the official treatment policy for malaria. Several countries around the world have used CQ in the past due to its low incidence of adverse events, therapeutic efficacy, and affordability, but were forced to switch treatment policy due to the development of widespread CQ resistance. The purpose of this paper was to compile literature on malaria treatment policies and antimalarial drug efficacy in Haiti over 67-year period. METHODS: A systematic review of PubMed, Web of Science, and the Armed Forces Pest Management Board, was conducted to find pertinent documents on national malaria treatment policies and antimalarial drug efficacy studies in Haiti between 1955 and 2012. A total of 329 citations and abstracts were reviewed independently by two researchers, of which thirty three met the final inclusion criteria of studies occurring in Haiti between 1955 and 2012 which specifically discuss malaria treatment policies and drug efficacy. RESULTS: Results suggest that CQ has been the predominant antimalarial drug in use from 1955 to 2012. In 2010 single dose primaquine (PQ) was added to the national treatment policy, however it is not clear whether this new policy has been put into practice. CONCLUSIONS: Although no widespread CQ resistance has been reported, some studies have detected low levels of CQ resistance. Increased surveillance and monitoring for CQ resistance should be implemented in Haiti.