[Treatment of latent tuberculosis among homeless population. Comparison between wo therapeutic approaches]

Abstract

Background and objective: We aimed to compare treatment adherence and toxicity of isoniazide (H) (6 months) compared with rifampicine (R) + pirazinamide (Z) (2 months) in homeless patients in latent tuberculous infection (LTBI).

Patients and method: Randomized and controlled prospective study.

Results: We included 172 patients (116 males and 56 females) with an age average of 42.3 (12.8) years; 31 (18%) had recent conversion and 72 (41.8%) had some risk factor of hepatotoxicity. Both bivariate and multivariate analysis (p < 0.001; OR = 5.15 [2.34-11.35]) showed that the treatment was completed by 61.5% of patients administered the R+Z regimen, while it was completed only by 28.2% of those administered H for 6 months. Moreover, treatment was completed by 48.4% of Spanish or foreign patients with legal residence, while it was completed only by 28.6% of immigrant patients with no legal residence (p = 0.044 in bivariate analysis).

Conclusions: The R+Z regimen for 2 months as treatment of LTBI in homeless patients displays a higher adherence than H for 6 months. There were no differences in toxicity.