Characteristics and sputum conversion of tuberculosis (TB) patients in Kalutara, Sri Lanka

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious bacterial disease; remains as one of the important public health problem affecting every part of the world. Substantial number of TB cases are reported from Sri Lanka every year irrespective of its strong preventive health system. The aim of this analysis is to describe the characteristics of TB patients and to assess the factors associated with sputum conversion. This analysis was based on the data from the District Chest Clinic of Kalutara district, Sri Lanka.

Information of all newly diagnosed and registered patients in the District Chest Clinic, Kalutara in year 2013 were ascertained. Out of 687 newly reported TB patients, 669 records were included in final analysis.

Majority of patients were males (n=451, 67.4%), in the age group of 36-60 years (n=306, 45.7%) and underweight (n=359, 61.7%). Substantial proportion of normal weight or overweight adult patients (92.1%) had sputum conversion at 2-3 months as compared to underweight adult patients (82.5%) (p=0.034). Those who smoke tobacco is less likely to have sputum conversion at 2-3 months as compared to non-smokers (90.2% vs. 82.1%, p=0.045).

Provision of good nutrition, maintaining of appropriate body mass index (i.e., BMI), and abstinence from smoking and alcohol consumption are important for sputum conversion among smear-positive pulmonary TB patients.