Prevalence of tobacco consumption and smoking and its effect on outcome among microbiologically confirmed new pulmonary tuberculosis patients on daily regimen of DOTS in Amritsar city.

BACKGROUND

Tobacco consumption and smoking are causative factors that can create a favorable environment for tuberculosis and increase the morbidity and mortality attributed to it. Tobacco use is the leading global cause of preventable death (6 million deaths per year). This study compares the treatment outcome in pulmonary tuberculosis patients on DOTS daily regimen with respect to consumption of tobacco and smoking.

AIMS: 1. To study the prevalence of tobacco consumption and smoking among microbiologically confirmed new pulmonary tuberculosis patients. 2. To study the effect of tobacco consumption and smoking on the outcome of microbiologically confirmed new pulmonary tuberculosis patients.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: The prospective observational study was conducted on microbiologically confirmed new pulmonary tuberculosis patients enrolled during the first quarter of the year 2019 (i.e., from 01/01/2019 to 03/31/2019) at the four selected DMCs of Amritsar City. In total, 197 patients were included in the study depending on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The prevalence of tobacco consumption and smoking at the start of treatment was noted and the effect on outcome was observed.

RESULTS

Prevalence of tobacco consumption and smoking was found to be 24.37% and 21.83%, respectively. In addition, 93.96% of non-tobacco consumers and 94.15% of non-smokers had favorable outcomes as compared to 83.34% of tobacco consumers and 81.4% of smokers, which is statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

Tobacco consumption and smoking have significantly higher chances of unfavorable outcomes (loss to follow up, change in treatment regimen, and death) as compared to non-consumption and non-smoking.