PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - J. Creswell
AU  - M. Raviglione
AU  - S. Ottmani
AU  - G.B. Migliori
AU  - M. Uplekar
AU  - L. Blanc
AU  - G. Sotgiu
AU  - K. Lönnroth
TI  - Tuberculosis and noncommunicable diseases: neglected links and missed opportunities
AID  - 10.1183/09031936.00084310
DP  - 2011 May 01
TA  - European Respiratory Journal
PG  - 1269--1282
VI  - 37
IP  - 5
4099  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/37/5/1269.short
4100  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/37/5/1269.full
SO  - Eur Respir J2011 May 01; 37
AB  - Globally, the incidence of tuberculosis (TB) is declining very slowly, and the noncommunicable disease (NCD) burden for many countries is steadily increasing. Several NCDs, such as diabetes mellitus, alcohol use disorders and smoking-related conditions, are responsible for a significant proportion of TB cases globally, and in the European region, represent a larger attributable fraction for TB disease than HIV. Concrete steps are needed to address NCDs and their risk factors. We reviewed published studies involving TB and NCDs, and present a review and discussion of how they are linked, the implications for case detection and management, and how prevention efforts may be strengthened by integration of services. These NCDs put patients at increased risk for developing TB and at risk for poor treatment outcomes. However, they also present an opportunity to provide better care through increased case-detection activities, improved clinical management and better access to care for both TB and NCDs. Hastening the global decline in TB incidence may be assisted by strengthening these types of activities.