Does Co-Suffering by Ischemic Heart Disease and Tuberculosis Exist in Community Endemic for These Diseases?

Aims: Tuberculosis (TB) has been thought associated with developing atherosclerosis, a hallmark of ischemic heart disease (IHD) pathology. Animal studies and human autopsy & case studies have shown association of TB with atherosclerosis. There is paucity of data showing co-suffering by TB and IHD. The objective of the study was to explore the co-suffering by IHD and TB in community endemic for these diseases.
Study Design: Retrospective secondary data analysis.
Place and Duration of Study: Mahatma Gandhi Hospital, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India between January 2011 and December 2011.
Methodology: Retrospective secondary data analysis done for patients admitted with IHD at tertiary hospital in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India; a setting endemic for TB and IHD both.
Results: Study revealed 1.6% of total admitted cases of IHD were co-suffering with TB. Majority of these (68.2%) reported history of TB diagnosis and/or treatment. About one third (31.8%) cases were co-suffering with current diagnosis and/or treatment for TB. Cases co-suffering by TB & IHD were on average 7 years elder than cases of IHD. This difference in age was statistically significant (p=0.05).
Conclusion: The study demonstrated that co-suffering by IHD and TB does exist in setting endemic for both these diseases. Patients older than 53 yrs (Mean age 65.63 yr - 2 SD 12.47 yr) age presenting with clinical features suggestive of IHD should be explored for the history or current status of TB. Studies on co-suffering by these are needed among patients attending peripheral health centres for validation.