RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 High prevalence of smoking among patients with suspected tuberculosis in South Africa
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP erj01377-2010
DO 10.1183/09031936.00137710
A1 L. Brunet
A1 M. Pai
A1 V. Davids
A1 D. Ling
A1 G. Paradis
A1 L. Lenders
A1 R. Meldau
A1 R. van Zyl Smit
A1 G. Calligaro
A1 B. Allwood
A1 R. Dawson
A1 K. Dheda
YR 2010
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/early/2010/12/09/09031936.00137710.abstract
AB There is growing evidence that tobacco smoking is an important risk factor for tuberculosis (TB). There are no data validating the accuracy of self-reported smoking in TB patients and limited data about the prevalence of smoking in TB patients from high burden settings.We performed a cross-sectional analysis of 500 patients with suspected TB in Cape Town. All underwent comprehensive diagnostic testing. The accuracy of their self-reported smoking status was determined against serum cotinine levels.Of the 424 patients included in the study, 56% and 60% of those with active and latent TB infection (LTBI), respectively, were current smokers. Using plasma cotinine as a reference standard, the sensitivity of self-reported smoking was 89%. No statistically significant association could be found between smoking and active or LTBI.In Cape Town, the prevalence of smoking among patients with suspected and confirmed TB is much higher than in the general South African population. Self-reporting is an accurate measure of smoking status. These results suggest the need to actively incorporate tobacco cessation programmes into TB services in South Africa.