RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Alcohol intake, smoking and illicit drug use in TB patients is under recorded by doctors
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP P3648
VO 44
IS Suppl 58
A1 Katie Ward
A1 Oliver Tavabie
A1 Rachel Crane
A1 Lynette Linkson
A1 Paramita Palchaudhuri
A1 Moerida Belton
YR 2014
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/44/Suppl_58/P3648.abstract
AB Introduction: Use of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs influence the incidence and the outcome of TB. Taking a history of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drug use is an important part of patient assessment to help with patient care and service planning.Queen Elizabeth (QEH) is a hospital in Woolwich, London, serving a population of 500 000. 106 cases of TB were diagnosed in adults in 2013. Most present to QEH emergency department(ED)or TB clinic. Patients presenting via ED are admitted using a checklist with questions on alcohol, tobacco and illicit drug use. Clinic patient notes are made using free text.Method: Notes were requested for all cases of TB diagnosed 1 July to 31 Dec 2013 and reviewed to determine whether information on alcohol, tobacco and illicit drug use was recorded at the time of first presentation. Analyses were performed using SPSS. Results: Notes were available for 41/55 cases(75%). Patients' median age was 30; 28(68%) were male. 12(29%) had no record of alcohol intake, 10(24%) had no tobacco history; none had illicit drug use recorded. Further data in Figure 1. Discussion: Recording of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drug use was lacking; it tended to be better for men and those seen in ED. Failure to identify risk factors may impact on treatment and deny support to “at-risk” patients. Checklists can help ensure consistency and completeness. We plan to introduce a checklist to TB clinic and assess its impact.