AN ASSESSMENT OF ANTI-TUBERCULAR INDUCED HEPATITIS AMONG PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS PATIENTS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH

Objective: We aimed to assess and evaluate the anti-tubercular agents (ATT) induced hepatitis among the patients of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). Material and Methods: We conducted this cross-sectional research to assess ATT induced pulmonary TB among 95 patients at Jinnah Hospital, Lahore in the timeframe of February to November 2017. The patients were selected in the age bracket of (16 – 65) years. We completed baseline measurements of Liver Function Tests (LFTs) which included Bilirubin, AST and ALT for every patient at the time of sample selection after meeting the research criteria. The same procedure was also repeated at an interval of one month to know the possible variations. Ethical approval and consent of the patients were also secured before the commencement of research. We told the pros and cons of this particular research to every patient who participated in the research study. Research made statistical analysis with the help of SPSS software. Results: In the age bracket of (16 – 65) years, the mean age of enrolled patients was (37.95 ± 14.46) years. In terms of gender distribution, we enrolled 51 male patients (53.7%) and 44 female patients (46.3%). Male was predominant over females in terms of the population proportion. An onset of ATT induced hepatitis was reported among 35 patients in the total of 95 patients having a proportion of (36.8%). Conclusion: We conclude that ATT induced hepatitis is among repeated complications which are commonly reported in the patients of PTB (Pulmonary Tuberculosis). Therefore, the one-month follow-up is mandatory for all patients. Doctors, as well as patients, need to educate themselves about the adverse outcomes of ATT induced hepatitis. Moreover, an in-time diagnosis and management of the disease are also important. Keywords: Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB), Antitubercular Agents (ATT), Liver Injury, Drugs, Hepatotoxicity, Rifampin (RIF), Isoniazid (INH), Ethambutol and Pyrazinamide (PZA) and Liver Function Test (LFT)