Retrospective study of side effects of anti-tuberculosis medications and modeling of the cumulative effect of risk factors

Background and objectives. Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global public health challenge. Treatment for TB typically involves a multi-drug regimen. While first-line anti-TB medications are generally effective, their associated side effects (SE) can lead to considerable morbidity and hinder treatment adherence. This study aimed to evaluate the side effects of first-line anti-TB drugs in individuals aged 18 to 55 years attending the pneumo-phthisiology department in the Gharb Region of Morocco. Materials and methods. This retrospective study was conducted in Kenitra Province, Morocco. Data were collected from 189 participants using a simple random sampling method. Two binary logistic regression models were developed: the first examined the effect of sociodemographic factors on the occurrence of side effects, and the second investigated their effect on treatment discontinuation or modification. Results. Among the patients, 37% experienced side effects, primarily cutaneous (39%), gastrointestinal (23%), and neurological (10%). Treatment discontinuation or modification occurred in 21.7% of cases. Logistic regression analysis revealed that university education and specific age groups (26–36, 37–55) were protective against treatment discontinuation (aOR = 0.084, 0.23, 0.14, respectively). Conversely, low socioeconomic status and female gender were associated with increased risk (aOR = 3.74, 6.11, respectively). Conclusions. This study underscores the importance of managing side effects of anti-TB medications by identifying key risk factors. Implementing targeted strategies can improve treatment adherence and reduce TB-related morbidity.