Crack Cocaine and Infectious Tuberculosis
Author Information
Author(s): Alistair Story, Graham Bothamley, Andrew Hayward
Primary Institution: Health Protection Agency, London, UK
Hypothesis
Crack cocaine is independently associated with smear-positive tuberculosis (TB).
Conclusion
Crack cocaine users are significantly more likely to be diagnosed with smear-positive TB compared to non-drug users.
Supporting Evidence
- 86% of crack cocaine users with pulmonary TB were smear positive compared to 36% of non-drug users.
- Crack cocaine users were significantly more likely to seek treatment at emergency departments.
- Crack cocaine use was associated with a higher risk of multidrug-resistant TB.
Takeaway
People who smoke crack cocaine are more likely to have a type of tuberculosis that spreads easily, which is not good for them or others.
Methodology
A case-control study comparing TB patients in London, focusing on crack cocaine users and their smear positivity rates.
Potential Biases
Potential underreporting of drug use among participants.
Limitations
The study may have misclassified some hard-drug users as non-users due to nondisclosure.
Participant Demographics
Predominantly 20–49 years of age, with a significant number being of white or black Caribbean ethnic origin.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.005
Confidence Interval
95% CI 1.8–24.3
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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