A panel of 65 global experts have identified eight clinical standards for the management of adverse effects during treatment for tuberculosis (TB).
Adverse effects to TB treatment cause morbidity, mortality and treatment interruption.
Working with the panel representing the main societies, associations and groups active in the TB field, the authors assessed the available evidence on adverse effects.
‘Clinical standards for the management of adverse effects during treatment for TB’, published in the latest issue of the International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IJTLD), aim to encourage best practice for the diagnosis and management of adverse effects.
Each person commencing treatment for TB should:
- Standard 1, be counselled regarding AE before and during treatment
- Standard 2, be evaluated for factors that might increase AE risk with regular review to actively identify and manage these
- Standard 3, when AE occur, carefully assessed and possible allergic or hypersensitivity reactions considered
- Standard 4, receive appropriate care to minimise morbidity and mortality associated with AE
- Standard 5, be restarted on TB drugs after a serious AE according to a standardised protocol that includes active drug safety monitoring
- Standard 6, healthcare workers should be trained on AE including how to counsel people undertaking TB treatment, as well as active AE monitoring and management
- Standard 7, there should be active AE monitoring and reporting for all new TB drugs and regimens
- Standard 8, knowledge gaps identified from active AE monitoring should be systematically addressed through clinical research.
These standards provide a person-centred, consensus-based approach to minimise the impact of adverse effects during TB treatment.
In subsequent issues of the IJTLD, further clinical standards will be published, including ‘Clinical standards for drug-susceptible TB in children and adolescents’ and ‘Clinical standards for the diagnosis and management of asthma in low-income and middle-income countries’.
The IJTLD is managed by the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union).
ENDS
Notes to editor
About the International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease
The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IJTLD) is for clinical research and epidemiological studies on lung health, including articles on TB, TB-HIV and respiratory diseases such as COVID-19, asthma, COPD, child lung health and the hazards of tobacco and air pollution. Individuals and institutes can subscribe to the IJTLD online or in print – simply email us at subscription@theunion.org for details.
The IJTLD is dedicated to understanding lung disease and to the dissemination of knowledge leading to better lung health. To allow us to share scientific research as rapidly as possible, the IJTLD is fast-tracking the publication of certain articles as preprints prior to their publication.
IJTLD Union website page: https://theunion.org/our-work/journals/ijtld
IJTLD online: https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/iuatld/ijtld
About The Union
Established in 1920, the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) is committed to creating a healthier world for all, free of tuberculosis and lung disease.
The Union is the world’s first global health organisation and a global leader in ending TB. Its members, staff, and consultants work in more than 140 countries.
The Union strives to end suffering due to tuberculosis and lung diseases, old and new, by advancing better prevention and care. It seeks to achieve this by the generation, dissemination, and implementation of knowledge into policy and practice.
The Union aims to ensure that no one is left behind, people are treated equally and we have a focus on vulnerable and marginalised populations and communities.
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