Case-control retrospective study of pulmonary tuberculosis in heroin-abusing patients in China.
The objective of this study was to observe the clinical significance of pulmonary tuberculosis in heroin abusers. A case-retrospective study was done to analyze clinical symptoms and severity based on chest X-rays, results of sputum bacterial test and effects of treatment. The clinical symptoms in patients with tuberculosis and heroin addiction were more severe than those in the nonheroin-addicted group. An examination of chest X-rays showed that tuberculosis lesions were involved in two or more lung fields in 80% of the heroin-addicted cases. In 73.3% of the cases, sputum bacterial tests were positive for tuberculosis. After anti-tuberculosis treatment, chest X-rays showed a recovery rate of 46.67%, caves became smaller by 41.7%, and the sputum negative conversion rate was 45.5%. There are significant differences compared with the control group (p < 0.05). The patients with pulmonary tuberculosis combined with heroin addiction had more severe clinical symptoms, more lesion zones found in their chest X-rays, higher sputum tuberculosis positive rates, and poorer treating effects.
Wang
Weihua
W
Wuhan Tuberculosis Prevention and Treatment Center, 28 Baofeng Road, Wuhan, PR China 430030.
Xiao
Hong
H
Lu
Lanying
L
D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002681:China; D005260:Female; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000150:complications* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D049669:History, 16th Century; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013183:Sputum / Q000382:microbiology; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy
D000995:Antitubercular Agents