Background: In Japan, tuberculosis (TB) patients aged over 80 years are usually treated with a regimen not including pyrazinamide (PZA) because of the risk of drug-induced hepatitis.
Purposes: The purpose of this study was to investigate the occurrence of drug-induced hepatitis in TB patients over 80 years of age, who are treated with a regimen including PZA, and compare the findings with those of younger patients. [Methods] Thirty-six patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, who were admitted to Yokohama City University Hospital between June 2011 and March 2012 were included. They were treated with isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol, and PZA and had their liver function assessed once a week for 2 months.
Results: Hepatitis occurred in 4 of 28 (14.3%) patients aged under 80 years and in 1 of 8 (12.5%) patients aged over 80 years.
Conclusion: There was no difference in the frequency of drug-induced hepatitis between patients aged under and over 80 years. We conclude that elderly patients aged over 80 years should be treated with a short course regimen that includes PZA.