Long term follow up after standard chemotherapy of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis

Two hundred ex-service personnel, presently in the age group 20-61 years, followed up for a total of 2470 person years, were analysed after they were given standard antituberculosis therapy 3 SHP/E and thereafter S₂ H₂ for periods varying from 6-24 months to ascertain the effect of the factors, viz. age, smear/culture acid fast bacilli positivity, initial radiological extent, radiological sequelae and duration of therapy in the reactivation of the disease. The analysis revealed that eleven patients exhibited features of reactivation of the disease during the follow-up. Out of the factors considered in this study, reactivation was found more common in those who did not comply with regular and continued therapy for the recommended period.