Objective: To evaluate the relapse rate after treatment of a twice weekly intermittent chemotherapy during continuation phase in the patients with pulmonary tuberculosis in two years period after completion of chemotherapy.
Methods: The patients with drug susceptible pulmonary tuberculosis treated with 2HRZE/4H2R2 under the supervision by the pharmacists or the patients treated with 2HRZE/4HR by self-administration were followed-up for two years after completion of chemotherapy.
Results: A total number of 135 pulmonary tuberculosis patients were treated with 2HRZE/4H2R2, 3 of 135 discontinued this intermittent treatment, and 11 of 135 completed chemotherapy was excluded from the relapse analysis, 105 out of the remaining 121 were followed-up for more than 6 months. On the other hand 240 patients were treated with 2HRZE/4HR, 37 out of 240 were excluded from the analysis, 147 of the remaining 203 were followed-up for more than 6 months. The relapse rate of this intermittent chemotherapy 1.89/100 person-year was similar to the relapse rate 1.86/100 person-year among 147 treated with daily regimen by self-administration. This difference was not statistically significant (z = 0.36, P = 0.14).
Conclusion: As regards relapse rate, this 2HRZE/4H2R2 regimen is effective and useful for the expansion of DOT, and it should be expanded nationally in Japan.