Frequency of Anti-tuberculosis Treatment Induced Hepatitis inPatients Taking Standard Anti-Tuberculosis Treatment

Authors

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of ATT induced hepatitis in patients taking Standard ATT presenting in a tertiary care hospital of Lahore, Pakistan.

Methods

This cross sectional study was undertaken at the Department of Medicine, Gulab Devi Teaching Hospital, Lahore from 12th February 2025 to 11th April 2025. Data from 80 adult patients meeting inclusion criteria were collected after verbal consent. Baseline assessments included liver enzyme tests, abdominal ultrasound, and screening for HBV, HCV, and HIV to exclude existing liver disease. Demographic and clinical details were recorded, and patients were followed up weekly at Gulab Devi Hospital, Lahore. Data were examined utilizing SPSS version 25.

Results

 The average age of the patients was 35.61±12.17 years. Out of the total of 80 patients that were examined, 14 patients (17.5%) presented with ATT-induced hepatitis as one of the complications of the treatment. Alternatively, 66 patients (82.5%) presented with no hepatic complications of the therapy. The findings indicate a strong correlation between age and ATT-induced hepatitis (p = 0.035) and patients ≥ 35 years old were at higher risk of developing hepatic side effects. Hepatitis developed in 19.6% of men and 14.7% of women (p = 0.572), indicating no gender difference. Hepatitis developed in 12.1% of overweight patients and 25.0% of obese patients (p = 0.544). Hepatitis was more frequently observed in treated patients for ≤ 30 days (21.8%) than those treated for 31–45 days (8.0%), although the variation was not significant (p = 0.132).

Conclusion

 The study found that 17.5% of patients on anti-tuberculosis treatment developed hepatitis, highlighting a notable risk of hepatotoxicity. Adults aged ≥ 35 may require closer liver function monitoring during therapy.

Keywords:

Mycobacterium tuberculosis, ATT induced hepatitis, Rifampicin, Rifabutin

Published

2026/03/04

Issue

Vol. Volume 7-issue 1

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