Radiological changes and progress in patient with pulmonary tuberculosis following treatment with daily versus intermittent short course regimens

Abstract EN

This is a prospective comparative randomized study carried out at Kosti teaching hospital 2006-2008. Objectives : to determine the radiological findings and to evaluate the radiological progress in patient with pulmonary Tuberculosis treated with daily versus intermittent short course regimens. Methodology : A total of 275 smear positive new cases of Tuberculosis were enrolled and randomized in to two groups, intermittent group (A) and daily regimen group (B) .X-Ray film was done initially and at the end of treatment for each patient. Results: It was found that 31 % of the X-Ray films were normal.

Concerning the progress of minimal lesion significantly high percentage improved to normal X-Ray 58% in group A and 53 % in group B, 42 % in group A and 40 % in group B stayed as minimal lesion.

The results of far advanced lesion revealed that intermittent regimen improved 16.6 % of the films to normal and minimal lesion, 8.3 % to moderate lesion, 33.3 % moderately advanced lesion and 25 % remained unchanged, while in the daily regimen, 21 % improved to normal and minimal lesion, 5.2 % to moderate lesion, 27 % to moderately advanced lesion and 27.6 %.

Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion : conversion of minimal lesions to normal X-Ray was significantly higher in the intermittent group and the conversion of far advanced lesions to normal was significantly higher in the daily regimen.