Frequency of pulmonary tuberculosis in patients with skin diseases requiring high dose long-term systemic steroid therapy

Objective: To determine the frequency of pulmonary tuberculosis in patients with skin diseases requiring high dose long-term systemic steroid therapy. Patients and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Dermatology Unit-II, Mayo Hospital, Lahore. Newly diagnosed patients of skin disease were screened for tuberculosis and then followed up after 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months to evaluate pulmonary tuberculosis while patients were on high dose systemic steroids. At each visit, history, examination and screening tests for tuberculosis were performed which included sputum smear for acid-fast bacilli (AFB), chest radiograph and sputum culture for AFB. Results: Out of fifty patients, who were on high dose long-term systemic steroid therapy, four patients (8%) developed pulmonary tuberculosis after a period of three months (P=0.0001). Conclusion: Patients on high dose long-term systemic steroid therapy can develop pulmonary tuberculosis.