Abstract: Objective To find out the causes and outcomes of irregular treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis cases,and to discuss the Methods to improve the compliance and increased cure rate. Methods The sex and age of 333 pulmonary tuberculosis cases with irregular treatment during 2001 to 2003 in Shanghai were compared and the causes of irregular treatment were analyzed. Result The male pulmonary tuberculosis cases of irregular treatment are higher than female cases(χ²=12.5,P<0.001).The causes of irregular treatment mainly include adverse drug effects(64.3%) and noncooperation(26.7%).The cure rate of new smear positive cases was slightly higher than retreatment smear positive cases.(χ²=0.077,P>0.05). Conclusion To reduce the irregular treatment and increase cure rate,the reasonable treatment regimen should be used,supervision and management to the priority cases(male,old,smear positive) should be strengthened and the adverse drug effects should be managed properly.

Key words: Pulmonary tuberculosis/chemotherapy, Prognosis