Elderly persons have the highest rates of tuberculosis (TB) in the United States compared to all other age groups. A systematic literature review was conducted to determine if older age was a risk factor for hepatotoxicity resulting from treatment with first-line drugs used to treat active (TB) and latent tuberculosis (LTBI).

A systematic review of MEDLINE, Cochrane Controlled Trial Registry, CINAHL^®, and Science Citation Index Expanded (from 1970 to 2011) was performed to determine the risk of hepatotoxicity, comparing those over 60 with those under 60. A meta-analysis was performed using a random effects model along with log odds ratios and the chi-square test.

Thirty-eight studies (40,034 participants; 1208 cases of hepatotoxicity) met the selection criteria. For active TB, an overall mean effect of 0.277 (p = 0.024, 95% CI: 0.037–0.517) was observed, which is equivalent to an odds ratio of 1.32 (95% CI: 1.04–1.68). For LTBI, an overall mean effect of 1.42 (p < 0.001, 95% CI: 0.794–2.05) was observed, which translates to an odds ratio of 4.14 (95% CI: 2.21–7.74).

Our analysis revealed that patients older than 60 had significantly more risk of hepatotoxicity. These studies suggest that a gentler regimen of treatment for older individuals could benefit health outcomes in this population of TB patients and minimize risks to the public's health.