Adverse Drug Reaction of Antitubercular Drugs and Impact of Patient Counselling on Compliance in Tuberculosis Patients: A Prospective Study

Background: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are one of the primary reasons behind poor medication compliance/ adherence in tuberculosis (TB) patients. However, ADR is preventable or manageable through proper screening and patient education. Objectives: In this study, we aimed to find out the prevalence of ADRs, their effect on patient compliance, and the impact of patient counselling on patient compliance in TB Patients. Material and Methods: About 250 TB patients who were receiving anti-tubercular treatment (ATT) were screened for ADRs. Causality, severity, and preventability assessment of ADRs were done using the Naranjo Algorithm, the Modified Hartwig and Seigel scale, and the Modified Schumock and Thornton scale, respectively. Each patient was telephonically counselled regarding ATT and ADRs associated with it for a period of 2 months to check the impact of counselling on patient compliance using the Morisky-Medication-Taking Adherence Scale. Results: Out of 250 TB patients, 25.6% of tuberculosis patients developed ADRs. According to causality assessment, 50.79% and 47.61% of the ADRs were probable and possible, respectively. About 48.41% of ADRs were mild, 50.79% of ADRs were moderate, and only 1 (0.79%) of ADR was severe and required intensive care. About 47.62% of ADRs were found to be preventable, 23.81% of ADRs were preventable, and 28.57% of ADRs were non-preventable. A statistically significant improvement was seen in patient medication compliance after counselling (p<0.05). Conclusion: This present study concludes that one-fourth of the TB patients receiving ATT reported ADRs. The majority of the ADRs were mild to moderate and preventable with proper screening and patient education. Patient counselling significantly improved the medication compliance of the patients.