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Cigarette smoking as a risk factor for tuberculosis in young adults: a case-control study
J Alcaide1, M N Altet, P Plans
1Departament de Sanitat l Seguretat Social, Generalitat de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain.
Tubercle and Lung Disease : the Official Journal of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease
|April 1, 1996
Summary
Cigarette smoking significantly increases the risk of developing active pulmonary tuberculosis in young adults. The risk escalates with the number of cigarettes smoked daily, indicating a clear dose-response relationship.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- The link between smoking and pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) has been historically under-researched.
- Understanding risk factors is crucial for TB prevention, especially in close contact populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between cigarette smoking and the incidence of active pulmonary tuberculosis.
- To assess the impact of smoking on young individuals who are close contacts of smear-positive pulmonary TB cases.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 46 cases of active pulmonary tuberculosis and 46 controls.
- Smoking habits were assessed via questionnaire, with analysis adjusted for age, gender, and socioeconomic status.
- Statistical analysis included univariate and multivariate methods to determine odds ratios (OR).
Main Results:
- Active smokers (occasional and daily) had a significantly higher risk (OR: 3.65) of developing active pulmonary tuberculosis.
- Individuals exposed to both passive and active smoking showed an even greater risk (OR: 5.10).
- A significant dose-response relationship was observed, where increased daily cigarette consumption correlated with higher TB risk.
Conclusions:
- Cigarette smoking is identified as a significant risk factor for active pulmonary tuberculosis in young people.
- The findings highlight a dose-dependent relationship between smoking intensity and TB development.
- Public health interventions targeting smoking cessation may aid in reducing the burden of pulmonary tuberculosis.