Increased risk of tuberculosis in opium addicts

In rural areas of desert of western Rajasthan crude opium is consumed with a social sanction by a notable proportion (7.1%) of adult males. It is believed that prevalence of opium addiction is high in TB cases as they may use it to suppress cough. Prevalence of opium addiction among TB cases from rural desert (16.1%) was compared with that in general population (7.1%) and the difference was found significant (X2 = 11.6, p > 0.001). The difference became a little more prominent after age adjustment. A case control analysis of matched pairs showed significant association between opium addiction and pulmonary tuberculosis (Odd's ratio = 2.61 and attributable risk = 0.099). Results were consistent in different age and ethnic groups. In cases with opium addiction, the addiction always preceded the pulmonary tuberculosis.