[Pulmonary tuberculosis and tobacco: about 100 cases]

[Epidemiological and evolutionary profile of tuberculosis under the influence og HIV]

INTRODUCTION

We conducted this study to understand the impact of HIV infection on the epidemiology of tuberculosis (TB) in an outpatient care center.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This is a retrospective and comparative study between subjects infected or not infected with HIV, using TB case notification data registered from October 2017 to September 2019 in the intermediate care facility (CDT) of the University Hospital of Libreville. Comparisons were made by bivariate analysis; proportions were compared using the Chi² or the Fisher Exact test. Variables of significant interest were included in a binary logistic regression model for multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

Prevalence of HIV infection was 30.4%. Average age was 35.2 years with extremes at 15 and 83 years. In the results of the multivariate analysis, female patients were more frequently infected with HIV (p=0.002; OR=1.960, 95% CI [1.275 - 3.015]) and HIV infection was associated with a reduction in the proportion of PTB (+) (p=0.001; OR=0.483, 95% CI [0.311 - 0.752]). HIV infection was also associated with an increased proportion of new cases (P=0.007; OR=2.987, 95% CI [1.353 - 6.597]), EPT (p<0.001; OR=1.084, 95% CI [1.054 - 1.131] and an unfavorable therapeutic outcome (p=0.016; OR=2.744, 95% CI [1.208 - 6.233]).

CONCLUSION

TB/HIV co-infection remains high. It continues to negatively impact outpatient management of TB.

Clinico-radiological particularities of common pulmonary tuberculosis among smokers in Tunisia

INRODUCTION

Smoking and tuberculosis are two major public health issues worldwide, particularly in emerging countries. Currently, the relationship between these two scourges is well established.

AIM

Describe the clinical, radiological and progressive features of common pulmonary tuberculosis in smokers.

METHODS

Comparative study, carried out at the Pneumology department of the Hédi Chaker in Sfax, Tunisia, including 120 patients hospitalized for common pulmonary tuberculosis  from January 2014 to December 2016 and who completed their follow-ups for a minimum period of 2 years . The patients were divided into 2 groups: Group1 (G1) consisting of 60 smoking patients and Group 2 (G2) consisting of 60 non-smoking patients. To assess the severity of radiological lesions, we used the International Labour Organization classification for simple pneumoconiosis and the Brouet classification.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was comparable in the two groups with a predominance of male for G1 (91%) and female for G2 (70%). The smokers consulted later (113 days versus 60 days (p=0.023). Dyspnea, hemoptysis and chest pain were significantly more frequent in the smokers. The radiological lesions were more serious in smoking group. Bilateral lesions were more observed in smokers (58% vs 25% p = 0.004). A positive association was noted between the extent of radiological lesions, stage 3 and 4 according to the Brouet classification, and smoking status (p <0.001). Similarly for the International Labour Organization classification for simple pneumoconiosis , the radiological lesions were more severe (scores 6 - 15) in the smokers (p <0.001).Smoking was associated with poor adherence (p <0.008), prolonged anti-tuberculosis treatment (p <0.001), delayed RBK negativation in sputum (p <0.001), and more frequent reactivation of tuberculosis (p=0.001). After the diagnosis of CPT, 83% of patients continued to smoke at the same rate and only 7% of patients had quit smoking.

CONCLUSION

Smoking worsens CPT by making the clinical picture noisier, radiological lesions more aggressive, negativation of BK in sputum later, and reactivation of CPT more frequent.

Epidemiological, Mycobacteriological, and Clinical Characteristics of Smoking Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients, in Lambaréné, Gabon: A Cross-Sectional Study

Gabon carries a high burden of both tuberculosis (TB) and smoking. This study examines the disease characteristics of smoking pulmonary TB patients in Lambaréné. We interviewed adult pulmonary TB patients in Lambaréné, between March 2016 and April 2019. Clinical and biological patient characteristics were collected. Bivariate and logistic regression analyses were performed to assess factors associated with smoking. The mean age of patients included was 31 years (±13). The proportion of smokers in our study was 30% (89/295). Smoking was significantly associated with patient-related diagnostic delay (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 8.18; 95% CI = 3.67-19.56), a higher number of pulmonary TB signs and symptoms (AOR = 2.74; 95% CI = 1.18-6.73), and a higher sputum mycobacterial load (AOR = 3.18; 95% CI = 1.33-8.11). The prevalence of smoking among TB patients is high, and leading to aggravated disease as compared with controls. Our study findings suggest that smoking patients should be regularly screened for TB, to reduce diagnostic delay and TB transmission within community. Smoking cessation activities should be included in the national TB control program in Gabon.