Using the Food and Drug Administration's Sentinel System for surveillance of TB infection

BACKGROUND: We examined patterns in care for individuals treated for latent TB infection (LTBI) in the US Food and Drug Administration's Sentinel System. METHODS: Using administrative claims data, we iden-tified patients who filled standard LTBI treatment prescriptions during 2008-2019. In these cohorts, we assessed LTBI testing, clinical management, and treat-ment duration. RESULTS: Among 113,338 patients who filled LTBI prescriptions, 80% (90,377) received isoniazid (INH) only, 19% (21,235) rifampin (RIF) only, and 2% (1,726) INH +rifapentine (RPT). By regimen, the proportion of patients with documented prior testing for TBI was 79%, 54%, and 91%, respectively. Median therapy duration was 84 days (IQR 35-84) for the 3-month once-weekly INH+RPT regimen, 60 days (IQR 30-100) for the 6-to 9-month INH regimen, and 30 days (IQR 2- 60) for the 4-month RIF regimen. CONCLUSIONS: Among the cohorts, INH-only was the most commonly prescribed LTBI treatment. Most persons who filled a prescription for LTBI treatment did not have evidence of completing recommended treatment duration. These data further support prefer-ential use of shorter-course regimens such as INH+RPT.