Association of pulmonary tuberculosis and dermatological conditions among patients of a rural medical college hospital.

INTRODUCTION Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) affects a significant proportion of the population. There are many contributory aetiological factors common to tuberculosis (TB) and dermatological conditions. AIM To study the spectrum of concurrent skin conditions in patients with PTB and to compare with patients having other diseases. METHODS All patients with PTB admitted to our Institute during the period of the study were included in the study. A comparable number of patients admitted in other departments constituted the control group. All patients were screened for skin diseases. RESULTS There were 498 patients in each group, matched for age and gender. There were 126 patients with skin conditions in the study group as against 60 patients in the control group. Pityriasis versicolor was the commonest skin condition in both the groups. Whereas acniform eruptions and pruritis were more common in the control group. Pityriasis versicolor, herpes zoster, erythema nodosum and leprosy were significantly more frequent among patients. CONCLUSION There is a high frequency of concurrent skin diseases in patient with PTB that should be managed along with it.