The Causes and Risk Factors of Tuberculosis Deaths in Khuzestan

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the 10 leading cause of deaths in developing countries. Understanding the cause and risk factors of TB death and lowering them can reduce its mortality rate. The aim of this study was to assess the cause and risk factors for death of tuberculosis. A retrospective descriptive study was conducted in Khuzestan province in the south west of Iran, from 2002 to 2006. Medical records of tuberculosis cases over the 5-year period were reviewed and death data were analyzed. Including criteria were documented TB diagnosed based on National Tuberculosis Program (NTP). Extracted data were analyzed in SPSS 11.5 system and by chi squared test. One hundred and twenty five deaths (3.15%) with mean age of 48.96±10.03 years were detected. Risk factors for death were: cigarette smoking, diabetes, chronic peritoneal dialysis, MDR-TB, imprisonment, AIDS and injection drug usage. 93 deaths (74.4%) were directly attributed to tuberculosis. Overwhelming TB disease, hemoptysis, AIDS/HIV and MDR-TB were the cause of death with the rate of 69.9%, 11.8%, 9.7% and 8.6%, respectively. 32 (25.6%) deaths were due to medical problems unrelated to TB, among which were cardiovascular diseases, bacterial super infection and cancers with the rate of 25%, 21.9% and 15.6%, respectively. The deaths of TB not only are directly related to TB, but also are caused due to comorbid conditions. Overwhelming TB disease, hemoptysis, cardiovascular diseases, bacterial super infection and cancers are the main cause of death. MDR-TB, imprisonment, AIDS and injection drug usage are the main risk factors for TB mortality