Administrative monitoring of tuberculosis treatment in Switzerland

Publication

Administrative monitoring of tuberculosis treatment in Switzerland

Journal Paper/Review - Nov 1, 2006

Guglielmi S, Barben J, Horn L, Schoch Otto

Units

Pneumologie und Schlafmedizin

PubMed

17131782

Citation

Guglielmi S, Barben J, Horn L, Schoch O. Administrative monitoring of tuberculosis treatment in Switzerland. The international journal of tuberculosis and lung disease : the official journal of the International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease 2006; 10:1236-40.

Type

Journal Paper/Review (English)

Journal

The international journal of tuberculosis and lung disease : the official journal of the International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease 2006; 10

Publication Date

Nov 1, 2006

Issn Print

1027-3719

Pages

1236-40

Brief description/objective

SETTING: Treatment of tuberculosis (TB) is critically dependent on adherence. Directly observed treatment (DOT) has been shown to be effective. OBJECTIVE: To determine operational treatment outcome using administrative treatment monitoring (ATM) to assess the need for more vigorous promotion of DOT. DESIGN: Cohort study in eastern Switzerland, where ATM was started in 2002. Bi-monthly progress forms and a treatment outcome form (after 6 months) were sent to the treating doctors. Forms not returned within 6 weeks were followed up with phone calls. RESULTS: Between 2002 and 2004, 98 (87.5%) of 112 new TB patients completed a 6-month treatment course. Eight elderly patients died of causes other than TB while on treatment, four travelled out of the region and two were lost to follow-up. Treating doctors opted for DOT in only seven cases. CONCLUSION: Given the high success rate of 87.5% in our cohort, more vigorous promotion of DOT is not a priority for TB case management in eastern Switzerland. In our setting, ATM in collaboration with the family doctors offers a valuable alternative to the more time-consuming universal DOT.