Adverse Events Associated With Treatment for Pan-Susceptible Tuberculosis in San Francisco

Of 373 patients treated for drug-susceptible tuberculosis, 35.4% (46.2% aged >= 65 years) developed moderate/severe adverse events that required treatment interruption (34.8%), first-line drug discontinuation (26.2%, primarily pyrazinamide), second-line drug initiation (30.0%), and treatment duration up to 3.8 months longer. More safe and effective options are needed, including for the elderly.

Automated summary

This study found that a significant proportion of patients being treated for drug-susceptible tuberculosis experienced moderate to severe adverse events that required treatment interruption or changes in drug regimens, with the elderly being more affected. Therefore, there is a need for safer and more effective treatment options.