Dr M Starr Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Royal Children’s Hospital, Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia. Fax: +61 3 93455764; email: [email protected]

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Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the usefulness of a microelectronic tablet-dispenser for monitoring adherence to preventive therapy for tuberculosis infection in adolescents.

Methodology: Twenty-one patients with positive Mantoux tests were treated with isoniazid (INH), dispensed in a microelectronic tablet-dispenser that recorded the date, time and duration that the container was opened. Other measures of adherence included attendance at clinic, patient self-report, tablet count, and measurement of urinary INH metabolites.

Results: The mean adherence rates were: 83% using attendance at clinic, 91% using tablet counts, 79% using urine assays, and 66% using the electronic tablet-dispenser. Self-reporting appeared to over-estimate adherence.

Conclusions: Adherence to 6 months of INH calculated using different measures is higher in this study than in previous reports. Microelectronic tablet-dispensers are an effective method to objectively measure adherence on a daily basis. Other measures are less helpful.

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Volume35, Issue4

August 1999

Pages 350-354

A novel approach to monitoring adherence to preventive therapy for tuberculosis in adolescence

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A novel approach to monitoring adherence to preventive therapy for tuberculosis in adolescence

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