
Pulmonary Tuberculosis And Some Underlying Conditions In Golestan Province Of Iran, During 2001-2005
1302-1306
Correspondence
Gholamreza Roshandel,MD,Golestan Research Center of Gastroenterologyand Hepatology,Golestan University of Medical Sciences.Address:Number77,Qabooseieh passage,Valiasr street,Gorgan,Golestan province,(Iran).Tel.+98-171-2240835 Fax.+98-171-2269210,E-mail: roshandel_md@yahoo.com
Context: Pulmonary tuberculosis has been a major health problem in Golestan province of Iran.
Aims: This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed to evaluate the frequency of coexisting medical conditions and their effects on some epidemiologic factors in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.
Setting and Design: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study.
Methods and Material: Demographic information, time of admission in the hospital and coexisting medical conditions (diabetes, chronic renal failure/hemodyalysis, corticosteroids consumption and malignancies) were extracted from the patient's file.
Statistical analysis used: Chi-square test was used to assess the relationship between variables.
Results: Two hundred forty three patients with pulmonary tuberculosis during 5 years were studied. Out of all, 162 cases (66.7%) did not have any co-morbidities. Diabetes mellitus was found to be the most prevalent condition (23.05%) followed by chronic renal failure, corticosteroid consumption and malignancy ranking second, third and forth in the list (5.8%, 2.5% and 2 respectively). The mean age of the patients was 50.15±19 years old. In the group without co morbidities, male/female ratio was 1.41/1, but co morbidity with diabetes was significantly more prevalent in females (p<0.05).
Conclusions: We suggest screening of tuberculosis in patients with chronic renal failure and diabetes mellitus in our area. Also for patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, diabetes screening should be considered essential.