Efficacy of directly observed treatment short-course intermittent regimen in spinal tuberculosis

BACKGROUND: Most important cause of treatment failure and emergence of drug resistance in the treatment of tuberculosis is noncompliance. Compliance can be improved by direct observation of drug intake, intermittent therapy, and short-course treatment. The efficacy of Directly Observed Treatment Short Course (DOTS) strategy advocated by World Health Organization (WHO) in spinal tuberculosis is not yet proven. We conducted a prospective clinical study on a consecutive series of patients with spinal tuberculosis treated by Category I Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) regimen based on DOTS strategy of WHO from 2004 to 2007 to evaluate the efficacy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-nine consecutive patients of spinal tuberculosis were treated with short-course intermittent chemotherapy under Category I RNTCP/DOTS strategy. Patients were followed up for a minimum period of 2 years. Surgery was done if the patient presented with significant neurologic deficit or when the drug treatment failed. Outcome was assessed by clinical, radiologic, and laboratory criteria, and graded into excellent, good, fair, and poor based on various parameters. RESULTS: 63.4% (n=26) of the patients had excellent results. 14.6% (n=6) of the patients had good and fair results. Three patients (7.3%) had poor results 48.7% (n=20) of the patients had but only one of them was severe enough to warrant change of drug. CONCLUSIONS: Efficacy of DOTS was comparable with other standard regimens. There was a significant reduction in adverse side effects when compared with daily regimens. Study showed that the outcome was better in those treated early.