Guidelines for treatment of drug-susceptible tuberculosis and patient care (2017 update)
Publication details
Publication date: April 2017
Languages: English
ISBN: ISBN 978-92-4-155000-0
WHO reference number: WHO/HTM/TB/2017.05
Overview
The WHO Guidelines for treatment of drug-susceptible tuberculosis and patient care (2017 update) contains policy recommendations on priority areas in the treatment of drug-susceptible TB and patient care. The main highlights of the guidelines are:
- The category II regimen is no longer recommended for patients who require TB retreatment and drug-susceptibility testing should be conducted to inform the choice of treatment regimen;
- The use of adjuvant steroids is recommended in the treatment of tuberculous meningitis and pericarditis;
- Recommendations on the provision of individual or a package of interventions on patient care and support, including patient or staff education, material support, psychological support, and tracers;
- Recommendations on the use of digital health interventions such as SM or phone call as an tracer option), medication monitor, and video observed treatment (VOT – as a replacement for in-person directly observed treatment - DOT) when conditions of technology and operation allow;
- Recommendations on the effective treatment administration options: community or home-based DOT, and DOT administered by trained lay providers or health-care workers; and
- Decentralized model of care is recommended over centralized model for patients on MDR-TB treatment.
The revision is in accordance with the WHO requirements for the formulation of evidence-based policy.
