Five RCTs (n=1,926) were included.
No statistically significant difference in risk was shown between short-course rifampin plus isoniazid and standard isoniazid therapy in the development of active TB (5 RCTs; RD 0, 95% CI: -1, 2); no statistical heterogeneity was found.
No statistically significant difference in risk was shown between short-course rifampin plus isoniazid and standard isoniazid therapy for mortality (3 RCTs; RD -1, 95% CI: -4, 2); no statistical heterogeneity was found.
No statistically significant difference in risk was shown between short-course rifampin plus isoniazid and standard isoniazid therapy in the development of severe adverse effects (5 RCTs; RD -1, 95% CI: -7, 5); statistical heterogeneity was found (P=0.05). Sensitivity analyses, using the highest quality studies (2 RCTs), also demonstrated no statistically significant difference in risk between the treatment regimens (RD 0, 95% CI: -5, 5); no statistical heterogeneity was found.
Forty-eight (4.9%) participants receiving rifampin plus isoniazid and 46 participants (4.8%) receiving standard therapy with isoniazid required drug withdrawal because of severe side-effects.