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Directly observed therapy for treating tuberculosis

  1. Jimmy Volmink1,*,
  2. Paul Garner2

Editorial Group: Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group

Published Online: 21 JAN 2009

Assessed as up-to-date: 13 AUG 2007

DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003343.pub3

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How to Cite

Volmink J, Garner P. Directly observed therapy for treating tuberculosis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2007, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD003343. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003343.pub3.

Author Information

  1. 1

    Stellenbosch University, Centre for Evidence-based Health Care, Tygerberg, South Africa

  2. 2

    Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, International Health Group, Liverpool, Merseyside, UK

*Jimmy Volmink, Centre for Evidence-based Health Care, Stellenbosch University, PO Box 19063, Tygerberg, 7505, South Africa. jvolmink@sun.ac.za.

Publication History

  1. Publication Status: Stable (no update expected for reasons given in 'What's new')
  2. Published Online: 21 JAN 2009

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References

References to studies included in this review

  1. References to studies included in this review
  2. References to studies excluded from this review
  3. Additional references
  4. References to other published versions of this review
Chaisson 2001 {published data only}
  • Chaisson RE, Barnes GL, Hackman J, Watkinson L, Kimbrough L, Metha S, et al. A randomized, controlled trial of interventions to improve adherence to isoniazid therapy to prevent tuberculosis in injection drug users. American Journal of Medicine 2001;110(8):610-5.
Kamolratanakul 1999 {published data only}
  • Kamolratanakul P, Sawert H, Lertmaharit S, Kasetjaroen Y, Akksilp S, Tulaporn C, et al. Randomized controlled trial of directly observed treatment (DOT) for patients with pulmonary tuberculosis in Thailand. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 1999;93(5):552-7.
Lwilla 2003 {published data only}
  • Lwilla F, Schellenberg D, Masanja H, Acosta C, Galindo C, Aponte J, et al. Evaluation of efficacy of community-based vs. institutional-based direct observed short-course treatment for the control of tuberculosis in Kilombero district, Tanzania. Tropical Medicine and International Health 2003;8(3):204-10.
    Direct Link:
MacIntyre 2003 {published data only}
  • MacIntyre CR, Goebel K, Brown GV, Skull S, Starr M, Fullinfaw RO. A randomised controlled trial of the efficacy of family-based direct observation of anti-tuberculosis treatment in an urban, developed-country setting. International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease 2003;7(9):848-54.
Malotte 2001 {published data only}
Newell 2006 {published data only}
  • Newell JN, Baral SC, Pande SB, Bam DS, Malla P. Family-member DOTS and community DOTS for tuberculosis control in Nepal: cluster-randomised controlled trial. Lancet 2006;367(9514):903-9.
Walley 2001 {published data only}
Wandwalo 2004 {published data only}
  • Wandwalo E, Kapalata N, Egwaga S, Morkve O. Effectiveness of community-based directly observed treatment for tuberculosis in an urban setting in Tanzania: a randomised controlled trial. International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease 2004;8(10):1248-54.
Wright 2004 {published data only}
  • Wright J, Walley J, Phillip A, Pushpananthan S, Dlamini E, Newell J, et al. Direct observation of treatment for tuberculosis: a randomized controlled trial of community health workers versus family members. Tropical Medicine and International Health 2004;9(5):559-65.
    Direct Link:
Zwarenstein 1998 {published data only}
Zwarenstein 2000 {published data only}
  • Zwarenstein M, Schoeman JH, Vundule C, Lombard CJ, Tatley M. A randomised trial of lay health workers as direct observers for treatment of tuberculosis. International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease 2000;4(6):550-4.

References to studies excluded from this review

  1. References to studies included in this review
  2. References to studies excluded from this review
  3. Additional references
  4. References to other published versions of this review
Batki 2001 {published data only}
  • Batki SL, Gruber VA, Bradley JM, Bradley M, Delucchi K. A controlled trial of methadone treatment combined with directly observed isoniazid for tuberculosis prevention in injection drug users. Drug and Alcohol Dependence 2002;66(3):283-93.
Carroll 2004 {published data only}
  • Carroll K, Malefoasi G. Comparison of outcomes from a district tuberculosis control programme in the Pacific: before and after the implementation of DOTS. Tropical Doctor 2004;34(1):11-4.
Hwang 2004 {published data only}
  • Hwang TG, Kim SD, Yoo SH, Shin YC. Sputum smear conversion during mDOT. Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases 2004;56:485-94.
Jasmer 2004 {published data only}
  • Jasmer RM, Seaman CB, Gonzalez LC, Kawamura LM, Osmond DH, Daley CL. Tuberculosis treatment outcomes: directly observed therapy compared with self-administered therapy. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine 2004;170(5):561-6.
Lewin 2004 {published data only}
  • Lewin S, Dick J, Zwarenstein M, Lombard CJ. Staff training and ambulatory tuberculosis outcomes: a cluster randomized controlled trial in South Africa. Bulletin of the World Health Organization 2005;83(4):250-9.
Mathew 2002 {published data only}
  • Matthew AJ, Eicher A, Davies PD. Comparison of hospital checked directly observed therapy with family supervised and unchecked tuberculosis treatment in a rural setting in North India. European Respiratory Journal 2002;20 Suppl 38:215.
Moulding 2001 {published data only}
  • Moulding TS, Caymittes M. Managing medication compliance of tuberculosis patients in Haiti with medication monitors. International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease 2002;6(4):313-9.
Pungrassami 2002 {published data only}
  • Pungrassami P, Chongsuvivatwong V. Are health personnel the best choice for directly observed treatment in southern Thailand? A comparison of treatment outcomes among different types of observers. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 2002;96(6):695-9.
  • Pungrassami P, Johnsen SP, Chongsuvivatwong V, Olsen J. Has directly observed treatment improved outcomes for patients with tuberculosis in southern Thailand?. Tropical Medicine and International Health 2002;7(3):271-9.
    Direct Link:
Sorete-Abore 2002 {published data only}
  • Sorete-Arbore A, Mihaescu T. Three years of DOTS strategy in Iasi county, Romania. European Respiratory Journal 2002;20 Suppl 38:217.
Tandon 2002 {published data only}
  • Tandon M, Gupta M, Tandon S, Gupta KB. DOTS versus self adminstered therapy (SAT) for patients with pulmonary tuberculosis: a randomised trial at a tertiary care hospital. Indian Journal of Medical Science 2002;56(1):19-21.
Thiam 2007 {published data only}
  • Thiam S, LeFevre AM, Hane F, Ndiaye A, Ba F, Fielding KL, et al. Effectiveness of a strategy to improve adherence to tuberculosis treatment in a resource-poor setting: a cluster randomized controlled trial. JAMA 2007;297(4):380-6.
Toyota 2003 {published data only}
  • Toyota E, Kobayashi N, Houjou M, Yoshizawa A, Kawana A, Kudo K. Usefulness of directly observed therapy (DOT) during hospitalization as DOTS in Japanese style. Kekkaku 2003;78(9):581-5.

Additional references

  1. References to studies included in this review
  2. References to studies excluded from this review
  3. Additional references
  4. References to other published versions of this review
Addington 1979
  • Addington WW. Patient compliance: The most serious remaining problem in the control of tuberculosis in the United States. Chest 1979;76 Suppl 6:741-3.
ATS 1992
  • American Thoracic Society/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Control of tuberculosis in the United States. American Review of Respiratory Disease 1992;146(6):1623-33.
Bass 1994
  • Bass JB Jr, Farer LS, Hopewell PC, O'Brien R, Jacobs RF, Ruben F, et al. Treatment of tuberculosis and tuberculosis infection in adults and children. American Thoracic Society and The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine 1994;149(5):1359-74.
Bayer 1995
Bosch-Capblanch 2007
  • Bosch-Capblanch X, Abba K, Prictor M, Garner P. Contracts between patients and healthcare practitioners for improving patients' adherence to treatment, prevention and health promotion activities. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2007, Issue 2. [DOI: ]
CDC 1993
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Approaches to improving adherence to antituberculosis therapy--South Carolina and New York, 1986-1991. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 1993;42(4):74-5, 81.
Chaulk 1998
  • Chaulk CP, Kazandjian VA. Directly observed therapy for treatment completion of pulmonary tuberculosis: Consensus Statement of the Public Health Tuberculosis Guidelines Panel. JAMA 1998;279(12):943-8.
Clarke 2005
  • Clarke M, Dick J, Zwarenstein M, Lombard CJ, Diwan VK. Lay health worker intervention with choice of DOT superior to standard TB care for farm dwellers in South Africa: a cluster randomised control trial. International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease 2005;9(6):673-9.
Cuneo 1989
Donovan 1992
Dye 1999
  • Dye C, Scheele S, Dolin P, Pathania V, Raviglione MC. Consensus statement. Global burden of tuberculosis: estimated incidence, prevalence, and mortality by country. WHO Global Surveillance and Monitoring Project. JAMA 1999;282(7):677-86.
Enarson 2000
  • Enarson DA, Rieder HL, Arnadottir T, Trebucq A. Management of tuberculosis: a guide for low income countries. 5th Edition. Paris: International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, 2000.
Fox 1958
  • Fox W. The problem of self-administration of drugs: with particular reference to pulmonary tuberculosis. Tubercle 1958;39(5):269-74.
Frieden 2007
Garner 2007
Higgins 2006
  • Higgins J, Green S, editors. Highly sensitive search strategies for identifying reports of randomized controlled trials in MEDLINE. Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions 4.2.6 [updated September 2006]; Appendix 5b. www.cochrane.org/resources/handbook/hbook.htm (accessed 1 May 2007).
Jüni 2001
Liu 2007
  • Liu Q, Abba K, Alejandria MM, Balanag VM, Berba RP, Lansang MA. Reminder systems and late patient tracers in the diagnosis and management of tuberculosis (Protocol). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2007, Issue 3. [DOI: ]
M'Imunya 2007
  • M'Imunya MJ, Volmink J. Education and counselling for promoting adherence to the treatment of active tuberculosis (Protocol). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2007, Issue 3. [DOI: ; : ]
Macq 2003
  • Macq JC, Theobald S, Dick J, Dembele M. An exploration of the concept of directly observed treatment (DOT) for tuberculosis patients: from a uniform to a customised approach. International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease 2003;7(2):103-9.
Maher 1997
  • Maher D, Chaulet P, Spinaci S, Harries A. Treatment of tuberculosis: guidelines for national programmes. 2nd Edition. Geneva: World Health Organization, 1997.
Netto 1999
  • Netto EM, Dye C, Raviglione MC. Progress in global tuberculosis control 1995-1996, with emphasis on 22 high-incidence countries. Global Monitoring and Surveillance Project. International Journal of Tubercle and Lung Disease 1999;3(4):310-20.
Review Manager 5
  • The Nordic Cochrane Centre, The Cochrane Collaboration. Review Manager (RevMan). 5.0. Copenhagen: The Nordic Cochrane Centre, The Cochrane Collaboration, 2008.
Sbarbaro 1994
  • Sbarbaro JA, Sbarbaro JB. Compliance and supervision of chemotherapy of tuberculosis. Seminars in Respiratory Infections 1994;9(2):120-7.
Sumartojo 1993
Volmink 1997a
Volmink 2000b
WHO 1997
  • WHO Global Tuberculosis Programme. TB : WHO report on the tuberculosis epidemic 1997. Geneva: World Health Organization, 1997.
WHO 2002
  • WHO Global Tuberculosis Programme. An expanded DOTS framework for effective tuberculosis control: stop TB communicable diseases. World Health Organization: Geneva, 2002.
WHO 2004
  • World Health Organization, Stop TB Dept. Progress report on the global plan to stop tuberculosis. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2004.

References to other published versions of this review

  1. References to studies included in this review
  2. References to studies excluded from this review
  3. Additional references
  4. References to other published versions of this review
Volmink 1997b
Volmink 2000a
  • Volmink J, Garner P. Interventions for promoting adherence to tuberculosis management. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2000, Issue 4. [DOI: ]
Volmink 2001
  • Volmink J, Garner P. Directly observed therapy for treating tuberculosis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Review 2001, Issue 4. [Art. No.: CD003343. DOI: ]
Volmink 2003
Volmink 2006
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