Umer Usman, Muhammad Saqib Musharaf, Muhammad Shoaib Nabi, Azam Niaz.
Pulmonary Tuberculosis and Tobacco Smoking.
Esculapio J Services Inst Med Sci Jan ;15(3):252-4.

Objective: To determine the clinical, radiological, bacteriological and therapeutic effects of pulmonary tuberculosis in tobacco smoking. Methods: Hundred cases were divided into 2 groups, 50 smoking Group A and 50 non-smoking patients: Group B. All our patients were male, the mean age was 41 years +- 12 in group A and 36 years +- 16 in group B. The consultation time was longer for smokers, the median was 60d (30; 98) against 40d (30; 60), the clinical symptomatology was variable in both groups, dominated by sputum in smokers 96% versus 60%. Results: The radiological lesions were similar in both groups as well as the bacillary load. All patients were put on anti-tuberculosis treatment. After one month of treatment, microscopy was negative in 50% of group A versus 66% in group B. the regression of radiological lesions was similar in both groups. The delayed diagnosis due to the delay in analysis of the sputum smears and lack of smoking cessation is the main point of complication in the pulmonary tuberculosis patients. Conclusions: Smoking cessation and sputum microscopy must be an integral part of the management of patients with tuberculosis.

PakMediNet -Pakistan's largest Database of Pakistani Medical Journals - http://www.pakmedinet.com