Abstract
Background:
The risk factors for pulmonary tuberculosis are not fully explored in a tuberculosis-endemic area such as Taiwan, and merging evidence has suggests that Helicobacter pylori infection (HPI) plays a role in several extragastric diseases. This study investigated whether HPI increases the risk of developing pulmonary tuberculosis.
Methods:
A retrospective population-based cohort study was conducted by using data retrieved from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. During the period of 2004-2010, 4470 patients aged > 20 y with newly diagnosed of HPI were selected, and follow-up until the end of 2013. Every patient with HPI was frequency-matched with 4 enrollees without HPI. A Cox proportional regression model was used to evaluate the hazard ratio (HR) of pulmonary tuberculosis in patients with HPI as compared with those without HPI. The covariates considered were annual income, urbanization, diagnosis of diabetes, coronary artery disease, heart failure, cerebrovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease at baseline.
Results:
The HPI and non-HPI cohort comprised 4470 patients and 17880 enrollees, respectively. After adjustment for covariates, the HPI cohort exhibits a 1.65-fold increased risk for pulmonary tuberculosis. (HR 1.65; 95% CI 1.24—2.21). Further stratified analysis revealed that the risk existed in both sexes and age group between 20 and 64 y.
Conclusions:
HPI is associated with an increased risk of pulmonary tuberculosis development. Additional studies exploring the underlying mechanisms and clinical and epidemiological consequences are warranted.
Disclosure
: None.
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