Impact of tobacco smoke on tuberculosis: A case control study.

ABSTRACT

Background:, Smoking increase the risk of tuberculosis 2-4 times , In our country half of tubercular death in men is attributed to smoking, around 17% smokers and 1/3 tubercular patients of the world reside here . Objective: To study the impact of smoking on sputum status and clinico radiological profile of tubercular patients. Method: We did a case control study , comprises in two groups , study and control group , a total of 120 Tubercular (Pulmonary & Extra-pulmonary) patients were studied in which 65 were smoker( study group) , 55 non smoker ( control group),. Detailed clinico-radiological study was done during the period of 9 months. Result: The prevalence of tuberculosis ( Pulmonary & extra pulmonary ) among smokers is 23.63%, out of them prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis 80% ( odd ratio OR 4.8) , cough ( 98.4%), and Dyspnoea( 93.8%) was prominent clinical symptoms in study group, as well as cavitations ( 98.07%), & fibrosis ( 98.07%) radio logically significant presentation in smokers besides this relapse as well as re infection was higher among smoker’s (64.61%).Sputum positivity was high for heavy smokers (86.7%) . Extra-pulmonary tuberculosis low (20%) in study group (0.21). Conclusion: Smoking is a significant risk factor for pulmonary tuberculosis as well as it aggravates the severity and relapse of diseases.