Risk Factors for Pulmonary Tuberculosis in an Urban Area of Algeria

Algeria and North Africa have limited data on tuberculosis (TB) risk factors. In addition, pretreatment assessments often do not include fasting blood glucose or renal function tests. These biological tests are only carried out if the interview and the results of the biochemical analysis of the urine make it possible to identify a patient at risk. This study aimed to identify the main risk factors for pulmonary TB (PT) in people aged 15 years and over in Blida and to specify the unrecognised rates of diabetes and chronic renal failure in conjunction with TB.

We conducted a matched case-control study in Blida, involving 223 PT cases and 446 controls matched by age, sex, and location. Data collection included a structured questionnaire, with renal and fasting glucose tests for all participants. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses identified independent predictors of TB.

Contact with TB was the strongest predictor (odds ratio [OR]: 23.60, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 10.69-52.14) of PT. Other significant associations included corticosteroid use >7 days (OR: 9.97, 95% CI: 3.38-29.39), diabetes (OR: 4.20, 95% CI: 2.53-6.96), low body weight (OR: 6.38, 95% CI: 2.93-13.89), unemployment (OR: 2.55, 95% CI: 1.43-4.56), smoking (OR: 2.20, 95% CI: 1.41-3.43), and overcrowding (OR: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.03-2.38). Fasting glucose screening revealed undiagnosed diabetes in 5.4% of cases.

The study highlights the need to include metabolic screening in the systematic management of TB and emphasizes the importance of close contact with TB patients.