The Rate of Drug-Induced Liver Enzymes Elevation in Tuberculosis Patients

Tuberculosis is a chronic granulomatous infection caused by an acid fast bacillus, mycobacterium tuberculosis or mycobacterium bovis and is the most common cause of death due to an infectious agent. A combination of drugs is prescribed for tuberculosis patients. One of the main adverse effects of prescribed drugs is elevation of liver enzymes.The aim of this study was to evaluate the rate of liver enzymes elevation among tuberculosis patients after drug therapy. 309 tuberculosis patients (15-91 years old) were selected by census method, in 1999-2000. Liver enzymes were measured at the beginning, 15 and 30 days following the treatment initiation. At the beginning of the treatment no one showed liver enzymes elevation. 15 days after the beginning of the treatment 68 subjects (22%) showed an elevation in liver enzymes (2 to 15 times more than normal). 30 days after the treatment initiation only 13 subject (4.2%) showed elevation in the level of their liver enzymes. This study showed that drug-induced elevation in liver enzymes of tuberculosis patients in Sanandaj is within the mean reported in other areas. Even though drugs are tolerated by the patients, more percuation must be considered about older patients and in case of combination therapy.