Adjunctive Effects of Oral Steroids Along with Anti-Tuberculosis Drugs in the Management of Cervical Lymph Node Tuberculosis

Abstract

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) can infect both pulmonary and extra-pulmonary organs. In India pulmonary TB accounts for 80% of cases and extrapulmonary TB (EPTB) accounts for 20% cases. Cervical lymph nodes are the most location for EPTB. Aims and Objectives: To study the efficacy of treatment with oral steroids along with anti-tuberculosis treatment in cervical lymph node tuberculosis. Methods: A total of 60 patients were enrolled in the study all with EPTB and cervical lymphadenitis. These 60 study patients were randomised into two groups. Group-I consisted of 30 patients given anti-tuberculosis therapy along with prednisolone 1mg/kg body weight for 4 weeks followed by tapering at 0.5 mg/kg body weight over 4 weeks. Group-II was comprised of 30 patients given antituberculosis treatment plus placebo Results: After completion of treatment 27 patients in Group I (90%) showed complete resolution and 3 patients (10%) had residual evidence of lymphadenitis with no change. In contrast, only 19 patients (63.3%) showed complete resolution in Group 2 and 11 patients (36.7%) had residual lymphadenitis present (10 had no change, 1 had increase in size). Conclusion: We conclude that steroids given with antituberculosis treatment to patients with cervical lymphadenitis led to faster and earlier resolution of tuberculous lymphadenitis.

Keywords

• corticosteroids
• steroids
• tuberculosis
• extrapulmonary tuberculosis
• treatment
• lymphadenitis
• scrofula
• symptoms
• antituberculosis treatment
• prednisolone