A comparative study of daily and twice-weekly continuation regimens of tuberculosis chemotherapy, including a comparison of two durations of sanatorium treatment. 2. Second report: the results from 12 to 24 months.

Further results of a controlled clinical trial of tuberculosis chemotherapeutic regimens, carried out with the cooperation of all 7 tuberculosis hospitals and 27 of the 30 chest clinics of the Central Bohemian region and 6 of the 10 chest clinics of Prague, are presented. Following 3 months of standard triple chemotherapy, a comparison was made of 3 continuation regimens allocated at random for up to 18 or 24 months. These were PAS plus isoniazid daily, streptomycin plus isoniazid twice a week, and streptomycin plus isoniazid twice a week up to 1 year and then streptomycin plus isoniazid once a week. After 2 years the results of all 3 regimens were highly satisfactory. Continuation of chemotherapy beyond 18 months produced no further demonstrable benefit at 2 years. A subsidiary comparison between 2 durations of sanatorium treatment-3 months and 6 months-failed to demonstrate any benefit from the longer period. It is concluded that all 3 continuation regimens were equally effective but that the intermittent regimens have the advantage of stricter control over the patient's chemotherapy.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes