The Effect of Alcohol Use on the Clinical Presentation of Tuberculosis

Abstract

Objective: We examined whether patients with alcohol use who become ill with tuberculosis are more likely to develop cavitary disease than patients without a history of alcohol use. Methods: Chi-square tests were used to test for differences in the distribution of alcohol users between cavitary patients and non-cavitary patients. Logistic regression was performed to obtain adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). An interaction between homelessness and alcohol use was also tested. Results: In the crude model, alcohol use was risk factor for cavitary disease (OR 1.29, (95% CI: 1.13-1.47)). In the adjusted model, alcohol use continued to be a significant predictor of the outcome (OR 1.29, (95% CI: 1.13-1.47)). Conclusion: Our results showed that alcohol use was a risk factor for cavitary TB. In addition, we found significant associations with age, race, HIV status, homelessness, and corrections history. Our results indicate the need for intervention in this particularly vulnerable population.