A prospective study of hepatitis during antituberculous treatment in Taiwanese patients and a review of the literature.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The present study prospectively investigated the incidence of and factors associated with hepatitis during antituberculous treatment in patients with tuberculosis and various underlying diseases. The results were compared with those of previously published studies.

METHODS

Patients treated with antituberculous agents were enrolled from July 1, 2000 to July 31, 2001, in the divisions of chest and infectious diseases at National Taiwan University Hospital and followed until November 30, 2001. Hepatitis was defined as an aminotransferase level>5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN), or >3 times ULN in the presence of symptoms of hepatitis, or total bilirubin level>3 mg/dL. Studies reporting the incidence of hepatitis during antituberculous treatment were reviewed for comparison.

RESULTS

Among 261 patients, median age was 58 years (range, 17-90 years), 17.7% had abnormal baseline liver function tests and 18.4% had concurrent hepatotoxic drug use. Fifteen patients (5.7%) had hepatitis B virus infection, 17 (6.5%) had hepatitis C virus infection, 14 (5.4%) had liver cirrhosis, and 15 (5.7%) had human immunodeficiency virus infection. Hepatitis occurred in 42 patients (16.1%), with 60% of the events in the first 2 months of treatment. Such an incidence was comparable to that in other Asian countries (5.3-18.2%) and slightly higher than that in Western countries (2.4-19%). In multivariate analysis, abnormal liver function tests at baseline and liver cirrhosis were independent factors for development of hepatitis.

CONCLUSION

Elevation of liver function tests was not uncommon during antituberculous treatment, especially in the first 2 months. Patients with abnormal liver function tests at baseline or liver cirrhosis should be closely monitored.