Risk factors for hepatotoxicity induced by antituberculosis drugs

To evaluate the risk factors involved in antituberculosis treatment-induced hepatotoxicity. In a retrospective study we analyzed the rate of drug-induced hepatotoxicity in a sample of 456 patients. Patients received a combination of drugs including isoniazid, rifampin, pirazinamide and streptomycin or ethambutol. The association among hepatotoxicity and several risk factors (age, sex, alcoholism and HIV infection) was studied by univariate methods, stratified analysis and the multiple logistic regression model. Signs of liver injury were found in 9.86% of the treated patients. In the logistic model, the adjusted odds ratios (OR) and significance were found as follows: a) for alcoholism, OR = 17.31 (95% CI: 6.35-47.16), p < 0.001; b) for HIV infection, OR = 3.23 (95% CI: 1.47-7.11), p = 0.003 and c) for female sex, OR = 2.44 (95% CI: 1.22-4.86), p = 0.011. Age was not significantly associated with hepatotoxicity. Alcoholism, HIV infection and female sex were associated with an increased risk of hepatotoxicity in this study.