A I M Olsen1, H E Andersen2, J Aßmus3, J A Djupvik4, G Gran5, K Skaug6, O Mørkve7. 1. Haugesund Hospital, Fonna Hospital Trust, Haugesund, Norway. 2. Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger Hospital Trust, Stavanger, Norway. 3. Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen Hospital Trust, Bergen, Norway. 4. Førde Hospital, Førde Hospital Trust, Førde, Norway. 5. Centre for Clinical Research, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway. 6. Haugesund Hospital, Fonna Hospital Trust, Haugesund, Norway ; Institute of Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway. 7. Centre for International Health, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
Abstract
SETTING: Despite a steep increase in the number of individuals treated for latent tuberculous infection (LTBI), few data are available on how treatment is implemented. OBJECTIVE: To obtain baseline information on initiation and completion of treatment for LTBI in Norway in 2009. DESIGN: A descriptive cross-sectional study. RESULTS: All 721 patients treated for LTBI in 2009 in Norway were included, of whom 607 (84%) completed treatment. The treatment regimen generally consisted of 3 months of rifampicin and isoniazid. The three main reasons for starting treatment were: 1) countries of origin with high tuberculosis (TB) prevalence, 2) a positive tuberculin skin test, and 3) a positive interferon gamma release assay. The use of directly observed treatment varied by health region and age. The majority of the 34 medical specialists interviewed saw a need for new national guidelines to improve the selection of high-risk patients with LTBI. CONCLUSIONS: Management of LTBI is in accordance with current guidelines, with a high completion rate. More targeted selection of which patients should be offered preventive treatment is required, and new guidelines and tools to enhance risk assessment are necessary.
SETTING: Despite a steep increase in the number of individuals treated for latent tuberculous infection (LTBI), few data are available on how treatment is implemented. OBJECTIVE: To obtain baseline information on initiation and completion of treatment for LTBI in Norway in 2009. DESIGN: A descriptive cross-sectional study. RESULTS: All 721 patients treated for LTBI in 2009 in Norway were included, of whom 607 (84%) completed treatment. The treatment regimen generally consisted of 3 months of rifampicin and isoniazid. The three main reasons for starting treatment were: 1) countries of origin with high tuberculosis (TB) prevalence, 2) a positive tuberculin skin test, and 3) a positive interferon gamma release assay. The use of directly observed treatment varied by health region and age. The majority of the 34 medical specialists interviewed saw a need for new national guidelines to improve the selection of high-risk patients with LTBI. CONCLUSIONS: Management of LTBI is in accordance with current guidelines, with a high completion rate. More targeted selection of which patients should be offered preventive treatment is required, and new guidelines and tools to enhance risk assessment are necessary.
Authors: Elisabeth Langenskiold; François R Herrmann; B L Luong; Thierry Rochat; Jean-Paul Janssens Journal: Swiss Med Wkly Date: 2008-02-09 Impact factor: 2.193
Authors: Fred K Shieh; Graham Snyder; C Robert Horsburgh; John Bernardo; Claire Murphy; Jussi J Saukkonen Journal: Am J Respir Crit Care Med Date: 2006-06-29 Impact factor: 21.405
Authors: C C Whalen; J L Johnson; A Okwera; D L Hom; R Huebner; P Mugyenyi; R D Mugerwa; J J Ellner Journal: N Engl J Med Date: 1997-09-18 Impact factor: 91.245
Authors: N A Halsey; J S Coberly; J Desormeaux; P Losikoff; J Atkinson; L H Moulton; M Contave; M Johnson; H Davis; L Geiter; E Johnson; R Huebner; R Boulos; R E Chaisson Journal: Lancet Date: 1998-03-14 Impact factor: 79.321
Authors: Brita Askeland Winje; Gry Marysol Grøneng; Richard Aubrey White; Peter Akre; Preben Aavitsland; Einar Heldal Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2019-01-17 Impact factor: 2.692