European Respiratory Journal | 2019
Special features of pulmonary tuberculosis among smokers: A case control study
Abstract
Smoking and tuberculosis (TB) represent two major health issues particularly in developing countries. Tobacco consumption increases risk of Mycobaterium tuberculosis infection among immunocompetent. Methods: A retrospective case control study carried out in the pulmonary department of military hospital of Tunis : 173 patients treated for TB were enrolled, subdivided in tow groups (G) : G1 : 106 smokers (61.3%), G2 : 67 non smokers (38.7%) . All possible data was collected. Aims: To compare the clinical course and radiological aspects of pulmonary TB between smokers and non smokers. Results: The mean age was 43 years [18 -93 years] with a higher male rate (95.3% versus 46.3%, p No significant difference in bacillary load was observed between ever and never smokers. Therefore, sputum smear conversion delay was longer in G1 (25 versus 31 days,p=0.58). Treatment adherence was better in smokers (94% versus 80,p=0.051) with a lower rate of side effects(27.4% versus 34.2%, p=0.12) and higher percentage of persistent sequels . It is clear that tobacco consumption is a avoidable risk factor for TB. The integration of smoking cessation should be a part of the strategy to control the higher burden of TB in developing countries.