Abstract

The most common side effect of the drugs used in tuberculosis therapy is hepatotoxicity. The increases in simple serum transaminase values and toxic hepatitis should be differentiated in the evaluation of hepatotoxicity. Hepatotoxicity incidence and the effect of hepatotoxicity on tuberculosis therapy were retrospectively analysed in 115 cases who had started tuberculosis therapy at Tuberculosis Dispensary in Bingöl between January 1999 and June 2001. A three-fold increase in serum transaminase levels was evaluated as hepatotoxicity requiring to cease drug, whereas an increase below this level was considered as a temporary increase not requiring the cessation of the drug. While toxic hepatitis requiring the cessation of tuberculosis therapy was reported in 8 of 23 cases in whom serum levels of transaminases increased, in 15 of these patients serum transaminase values returned to normal in the follow-up period. Liver diseases, biliary duct diseases or long term alcohol use were not present in the cases with high serum transaminase values. When compared according to age, statistically significant difference was present among three groups; the cases with toxic hepatitis, those with temporary increase in serum transaminase values and those with normal transaminase values (p<0.05). Toxic hepatitis due to tuberculosis therapy can cause mortality. On the other hand, if the cases comply with regular follow-ups, a successful treatment is possible. In the cases included in the study hepatotoxicity and toxic hepatitis were reported as 20% and 7%, respectively. With close follow-up, treatment was completed in all cases.