A case-control study of tobacco smoking and tuberculosis in India

Objectives: To evaluate the role of smoking as a risk factor for the development of pulmonary tuberculosis. Materials and Methods: A total of 111 sputum smear-positive patients of pulmonary tuberculosis and 333 controls matched for age and sex were interviewed according to a predesigned questionnaire. Results: The adjusted odd ratio of the association between tobacco smoking and pulmonary tuberculosis was 3.8 (95 confidence interval, 2.0 to 7.0; P value, .0001). A positive relationship between pack years, body mass index and socioeconomic class was also observed. Conclusion: There is a positive association between tobacco smoking and pulmonary tuberculosis.