Effects of smoking on the severity and transmission of pulmonary tuberculosis: A hospital-based case control study

Yanmei Feng; Yue Xu; Yuan Yang; Guangzhao Yi; Huan Su; Hong Chen; Rui Guo; Jinwei Jia; Pu Wang

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2023.1017967

Effects of smoking on the severity and transmission of pulmonary tuberculosis: A hospital-based case control study

Front Public Health. 2023 Jan 26:11:1017967. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1017967. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Yanmei Feng¹, Yue Xu², Yuan Yang³, Guangzhao Yi⁴, Huan Su¹, Hong Chen¹, Rui Guo⁵, Jinwei Jia⁶, Pu Wang¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
² Department of Infectious Disease, The First People's Hospital of Chongqing Liang Jiang New Area, Chongqing, China.
³ Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
⁴ Department of Hospital Infection-Control, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
⁵ Department of Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
⁶ Department of Respiratory Medicine, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing University Central Hospital, Chongqing, China.

Abstract

Introduction: There is a high incidence of both smoking and tuberculosis (TB) in China. This study examined the risk factors for severe pulmonary TB (PTB) and positive tubercle bacilli in sputum.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective case-control study in a tertiary hospital from January 2017 to December 2018 (n = 917). The clinical and biological characteristics of patients were collected, and univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the factors associated with smoking in terms of the severity and transmission of PTB.

Results: Positive tubercle bacilli in sputum and severe PTB were much higher in smoking patients. Together with nutrition status, heavy smoking exhibited a 284% greater risk in severe PTB. Positive tubercle bacilli in sputum was significantly associated with hypoproteinemia and smoking regardless of the status, duration, and degree.

Conclusion: Because cigarette smoking was strongly and inversely associated with hypoproteinemia, we conclude that smoking plays a critical role in the severity and transmission of PTB. Smoking cessation interventions should be employed to prevent severe PTB and decrease the transmission of PTB.

Keywords: positive tubercle bacilli; pulmonary tuberculosis; severity of the disease; smoking; transmission.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Case-Control Studies
Hospitals
Humans
Hypoproteinemia*
Retrospective Studies
Smoking / epidemiology
Tuberculosis, Pulmonary* / epidemiology

Grants and funding

This study was funded by the Basic Research and Frontier Exploration Project of Chongqing Yuzhong District Science and Technology Committee (No: 20180139), the Joint Science Project of Chongqing Science and Technology Committee-Health Bureau (No: 2018MSXM006), and the Medical Talents Program of Chongqing for Young and Middle-aged.