Excess Alcohol Use and Death among Tuberculosis Patients in the United States, 1997-2012.

RATIONALE Excess alcohol use (EAU) is associated with adverse TB treatment outcomes. OBJECTIVE We investigated the relationship between EAU and death among TB patients 15 years and older prescribed anti-TB treatment in the United States. DESIGN Using data reported to the National Tuberculosis Surveillance System for 1997-2012, we calculated adjusted odds ratios and excess attributable risk percent for death among TB patients with reported EAU. RESULTS EAU was associated with death among patients younger than 65. The excess attributable risk percent for death among those with reported EAU for those younger than 65 was >35%. CONCLUSIONS Interventions to reduce EAU in patients <65 years may reduce deaths.