Abstract
Background: In our country, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and tuberculosis (TB) are two major causes of death and morbidity. In underdeveloped countries, asthma is the most frequent form of COPD.
Aim and objective: At a tertiary health care facility, researchers looked into the prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis in chronic asthmatic patients.
Methodology: The current investigation was a prospective study involving 300 asthmatic patients who had been on medication for more than 5 years. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect data. Demographic information, clinical history, and a clinical examination were all included in the study. All of the patients had a chest x-ray and a Zeil nelson stain sputum analysis for acid fast bacilli. Statistical tests were used to analyse the data.
Results: The patients' average age was 38.25 3.2 years. 1.76:1 was the male-to-female ratio. The majority of the patients (40.7 percent) were from the lower middle class, with the upper lower class coming in second (28 percent ). In our study, the prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis was 4%.
Conclusion: Patients who smoke and use steroids are at a higher risk of developing pulmonary tuberculosis.
Key Word: pulmonary tuberculosis, chronic asthma, sputum examination.