Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 22, 2026

10:41
A Tuberculosis Molecular Bacterial Load Assay (TB-MBLA)
Published on: April 30, 2020
Tuberculosis and alcohol misuse in Scotland: a population-based study using enhanced surveillance data
B de la Haye1, S H Wild, J Stevenson
1Centre for Population Health Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK. beth.delahaye@gmail.com
Summary
In Scotland, 18% of tuberculosis (TB) patients misused alcohol, often linked to socio-economic deprivation. This highlights a need for better data collection to manage TB and alcohol misuse effectively.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant public health concern globally.
- Alcohol misuse is a known risk factor and complicating factor in TB management.
- Understanding the specific characteristics of TB patients with alcohol misuse in Scotland is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the epidemiological profile of tuberculosis patients with alcohol misuse in Scotland.
- To identify associations between alcohol misuse and demographic, socio-economic, and clinical factors in TB patients.
- To compare treatment outcomes between TB patients with and without a history of alcohol misuse.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from the Enhanced Surveillance of Mycobacterial Infections (ESMI) scheme.
- Adult TB cases (aged ≥ 18 years) notified in Scotland between 2001 and 2007 were analyzed.
- Characteristics and treatment outcomes of TB cases with recorded alcohol misuse were compared to those without.
Main Results:
- Alcohol misuse was recorded in 18% (426/2419) of adult TB cases in Scotland.
- Alcohol misuse was significantly associated with male sex, White ethnicity, UK birth, unemployment, urban residence, and socio-economic deprivation.
- Patients with alcohol misuse were more likely to have pulmonary TB (92% vs. 61%) and be sputum smear-positive (74% vs. 58%), but treatment completion rates were similar (77% vs. 79%).
Conclusions:
- Socio-economic deprivation is a key characteristic associated with alcohol misuse among TB patients in Scotland.
- Improved data collection on alcohol misuse is recommended to inform policies for TB prevention and management.
- Targeted strategies addressing both alcohol misuse and TB are needed to reduce incidence in Scotland.
Related Concept Videos
Pulmonary Tuberculosis I
Tuberculosis, often called TB, is a contagious illness primarily caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It mainly affects the lung parenchyma but can also impact other body parts.
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis IV
Tuberculosis, more commonly referred to as TB, is an infectious disease stemming from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. While it primarily impacts the lungs, TB can also affect other body areas. Given its severity and global impact, timely and accurate diagnosis is crucial for controlling its spread and improving patient outcomes.
Several diagnostic approaches are used to detect TB. The conventional method is the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST), also known as the Mantoux test. However, this method has...
Several diagnostic approaches are used to detect TB. The conventional method is the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST), also known as the Mantoux test. However, this method has...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis V
Medical management of tuberculosis (TB) patients involves a comprehensive approach that includes diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring. The specific strategies can vary depending on the type of tuberculosis (latent or active), the patient's overall health status, and other considerations.
Latent tuberculosis infection occurs when TB bacteria are present in a person's body, but are not causing illness or symptoms. It is not contagious, and preventive treatment is crucial to avoid the progression...
Latent tuberculosis infection occurs when TB bacteria are present in a person's body, but are not causing illness or symptoms. It is not contagious, and preventive treatment is crucial to avoid the progression...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis III
Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious infection primarily affecting the lung parenchyma but which can also affect other body parts. TB can be classified based on disease development, presentation, and the affected anatomical site.
The first classification is based on the development of the disease, and it includes the following categories:
The first classification is based on the development of the disease, and it includes the following categories:
Pulmonary Tuberculosis II
Tuberculosis, or TB, is a bacterial infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. While its primary impact is on the lungs, leading to pulmonary tuberculosis, it can also affect various other organs, a condition referred to as extrapulmonary tuberculosis.
Here is a detailed explanation of its pathophysiology:
Transmission: The process begins when a person inhales droplet nuclei containing M. tuberculosis. These are typically released into the air when an individual with pulmonary or...
Here is a detailed explanation of its pathophysiology:
Transmission: The process begins when a person inhales droplet nuclei containing M. tuberculosis. These are typically released into the air when an individual with pulmonary or...
Genome-wide Association Studies-GWAS
Genome-wide association studies or GWAS are used to identify whether common SNPs are associated with certain diseases. Suppose specific SNPs are more frequently observed in individuals with a particular disease than those without the disease. In that case, those SNPs are said to be associated with the disease. Chi-square analysis is performed to check the probability of the allele likely to be associated with the disease.
GWAS does not require the identification of the target gene involved in...
GWAS does not require the identification of the target gene involved in...