Kameshwar Prasad1, Jitendra Kumar Sahu. 1. Department of Neurology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India. kp0704@gmail.com
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The duration of anti-tuberculous therapy in tuberculous meningitis is controversial. There is variation in recommendations by different societies and expert groups on this issue. OBJECTIVE: To determine the strength of evidence for short-term therapy in tuberculous meningitis through review of literature and critical appraisal. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cochrane CENTRAL (Issue 4, 2010), TRIP database, and PubMed (from 1966 to present) were searched for relevant papers with keywords 'meningeal tuberculosis' and tuberculous meningitis' combined with 'chemotherapy'. A critical appraisal of a systematic review was done using standard criteria. RESULTS: A total of 10 relevant papers were identified. All papers were included in a systematic review. The systematic review did not specify study design of studies to be included, had only case series but no randomised controlled trial, and unclear definition of endpoints. CONCLUSIONS: The evidence base for short-term therapy for tuberculous meningitis is weak. There is a need to conduct a randomised controlled trial with non-inferiority hypothesis of adequate sample size with well-defined end points and adequate follow-up. This is a challenge as well as opportunity for Indian neurologists.
BACKGROUND: The duration of anti-tuberculous therapy in tuberculous meningitis is controversial. There is variation in recommendations by different societies and expert groups on this issue. OBJECTIVE: To determine the strength of evidence for short-term therapy in tuberculous meningitis through review of literature and critical appraisal. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cochrane CENTRAL (Issue 4, 2010), TRIP database, and PubMed (from 1966 to present) were searched for relevant papers with keywords 'meningeal tuberculosis' and tuberculous meningitis' combined with 'chemotherapy'. A critical appraisal of a systematic review was done using standard criteria. RESULTS: A total of 10 relevant papers were identified. All papers were included in a systematic review. The systematic review did not specify study design of studies to be included, had only case series but no randomised controlled trial, and unclear definition of endpoints. CONCLUSIONS: The evidence base for short-term therapy for tuberculous meningitis is weak. There is a need to conduct a randomised controlled trial with non-inferiority hypothesis of adequate sample size with well-defined end points and adequate follow-up. This is a challenge as well as opportunity for Indian neurologists.