[Tuberculosis as a component of the sub-culture]

The paper presents the results of a study of 152 males (mean age, 45.7+/-3.8 years) with fibrocavernous pulmonary tuberculosis and 123 males (mean age, 41.2+/-3.6 years) with infiltrative pulmonary tuberculosis, who reside in the Samara Region. The examination of all patients was comprehensive, which included physical examination, functional studies, psychological tests, and a special questionnaire survey. The data on 108 apparently healthy males served as a control of SMPI and Luscher tests. The social situation was analyzed. A correlation analysis was made to define a relationship of the satisfaction of main personality needs to the functional parameters of the lung. The comprehensive study has demonstrated that the disease is socially advantageous for males with infiltrative pulmonary tuberculosis; this is an original marker of group affiliation, an element of subculture, a way of enhancing a self-appraisal in the eyes of the members of a reference group. No intention to treatment accounts for poor drug regiment compliance. Males with chronic forms of pulmonary tuberculosis lose a secondary social advantage. A sensation of weakness, malaise, and a fear of violence, which are an obstacle for them to become fully-fledged members of a reference group are in the foreground.