"The TB control community has been slow to recognize that TB is difficult to control in isolation and to develop effective interventions for those who abuse substances..." -Oeltmann et al.-
A very informative investigation has been just released by researchers at the Division of Tuberculosis Elimination at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.
Oeltmann et al. conclude: "Substance abuse is the most commonly reported behavioral risk factor among patients with TB in the United States. Patients who abuse substances are more contagious (e.g., smear positive) and remain contagious longer because treatment failure presumably extends periods of infectiousness. Increased transmission is consistent with our finding that patiens who abuse substances were more likely to be in a localized genotype cluster, which can represent recent transmission." Arch Intern Med. 2009;169(2):189-197.
http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/short/169/2/189
Around the world, more studies, such as this one, are needed that lead to better interventions for substance users, particularly among patients who drink excessive amounts of alcohol. If you are a health professional with experience in TB treatment, please comment on this post with any experience or anecdotal or evidence-based experience with TB patients who are substance abusers. Any success stories or strategies for anti-TB therapy adherence and/or substance abuse cessation?
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