Prevalence of Adverse Drug Reactions and Risk Factors Associated with first Line Anti- Tuberculosis Drugs

Miyanda Petty; Eric Sikaone

Abstract

Background: The recommended first line treatment of active tuberculosis (TB) consists of rifampicin (R), isoniazid (H), ethambutol (E) and pyrazinamide (Z). The regimen is highly effective in treating active TB however it is associated with various adverse drug reactions (ADRs) posing undeniable challenges to therapy success. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of ADRs and risk factors associated with first-line anti-tuberculosis medications. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional descriptive study conducted at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) during the period of 1st January, 2017 to 31st December, 2018. Results: A total of 180 patients on first line anti -TB drugs were recruited. The prevalence of ADRs was 18.3%. There were predominant male cases of tuberculosis (53%) and males had higher incidence of ADRs compared to females (58%). Increasing age had a significant relationship with occurrence of ADRs in first line drugs of Tuberculosis with a P value < 0.05. Alcohol intake and HIV /TB comorbid positively contributed to occurrence of ADRs. The commonly experienced ADRs were peripheral neuritis, hepatotoxicity, visual disturbances and cutaneous reactions. Conclusion: Most participants in this study had limited knowledge on adverse drug reactions and this could simply mean that some ADRs were unreported. Some factors found to be associated with occurrence of ADRs were HIV seropositive status, age, male gender and alcohol intake necessitating for close monitoring of patients with predisposing factors. Routine and intensive patient counselling, identification and treatment of ADRs is essential. Workshops on antitubercular ADRs sensitization for medical personnel should be conducted more often.

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