Abstract
Objective: To describe the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of individuals with tuberculosis (TB), and to evaluate associations of these characteristics with the results of sputum smear microscopy and chest radiography. Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study, with a sample consisting of individuals diagnosed with TB and notified at a tertiary referral center from a Brazilian state. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected from physical and electronic medical records and SINAN. Chi-square, Fisher's Exact test, and Maximum Likelihood Ratio were used for statistical analysis. Significance was set at p<0.05. Results: There was a higher prevalence of males, adults, from the Metropolitan region, with pulmonary TB. Comorbidities found: smoking (42.86%), alcoholism (40.81%), systemic arterial hypertension (28.6%), liver disease (26.53%), diabetes mellitus (24.5%), HIV (12.2%) and illicit drugs use (10.20%). Positive sputum smear microscopy was associated with a higher percentage of positive culture and multidrug-resistant TB (MDR), being found in all MDR TB individuals. Suspected chest radiography was seen in all pulmonary TB individuals. Conclusion: The most frequent comorbidities were: smoking, systemic arterial hypertension, liver disease and diabetes. The association of positive smear microscopy with MDR TB deserves attention, considering that bacilliferous individuals have a greater potential for disease transmissibility.