Timing of relapse in short-course chemotherapy trials for tuberculosis [Short communication]

• Published in: The international journal of tuberculosis and lung disease Vol. 14; no. 2; pp. 241 - 242
• Main Authors: NUNN, A. J, PHILLIPS, P. P. J, MITCHISON, D. A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Paris, France IUATLD 01.02.2010; International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease
• Subjects: Africa - epidemiology; Antitubercular Agents - administration & dosage; Antitubercular Agents - therapeutic use; Bacterial diseases; Biological and medical sciences; Clinical Trials; Clinical Trials as Topic - methods; Early Relapse; Far East - epidemiology; Follow-Up Studies; Human bacterial diseases; Humans; Infectious diseases; Medical sciences; Mycobacterium; Pneumology; Recurrence; Relapse; Respiratory system : syndromes and miscellaneous diseases; Time Factors; Timing; Tuberculosis; Tuberculosis - drug therapy; Tuberculosis - epidemiology; Tuberculosis and atypical mycobacterial infections; Far East; Africa; Relapse; Respiratory disease; Mycobacterial infection; early relapse; Infection; Chemotherapy; Treatment; Tuberculosis; Bacteriosis; Clinical trial; Early; clinical trials; Timing; Pneumology
• ISSN: 1027-3719; 1815-7920

We have reviewed the results from 15 tuberculosis treatment trials initiated by the British Medical Research Council between 1970 and 1983 in Africa and East Asia. Of 574 relapses, 447 (78%) occurred within 6 months of stopping treatment and 525 (91%) within 12 months. We suggest that investigators should consider terminating follow-up after the last enrolled patient completes 6 months following treatment, while continuing to follow patients enrolled earlier until that time. Compared to following all patients to 24 months, the total trial duration could be reduced by 18 months, with no increase in patient numbers in a non-inferiority design.