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BackgroundIn Nepal, tuberculosis (TB) is a major problem. Worldwide, six previous epidemiologic studies have investigated whether indoor cooking with biomass fuel such as wood or agricultural wastes is associated with TB with inconsistent results.ObjectivesUsing detailed information on potential confounders, we investigated the associations between TB and the use of biomass and kerosene fuels.MethodsA hospital-based case-control study was conducted in Pokhara, Nepal. Cases (n = 125) were women, 20-65 years old, with a confirmed diagnosis of TB. Age-matched controls (n = 250) were female patients without TB. Detailed exposure histories were collected with a standardized questionnaire.ResultsCompared with using a clean-burning fuel stove (liquefied petroleum gas, biogas), the adjusted odds ratio (OR) for using a biomass-fuel stove was 1.21 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.48-3.05], whereas use of a kerosene-fuel stove had an OR of 3.36 (95% CI, 1.01-11.22). The OR for use of biomass fuel for heating was 3.45 (95% CI, 1.44-8.27) and for use of kerosene lamps for lighting was 9.43 (95% CI, 1.45-61.32).ConclusionsThis study provides evidence that the use of indoor biomass fuel, particularly as a source of heating, is associated with TB in women. It also provides the first evidence that using kerosene stoves and wick lamps is associated with TB. These associations require confirmation in other studies. If using kerosene lamps is a risk factor for TB, it would provide strong justification for promoting clean lighting sources, such as solar lamps.

Background: Bronchogenic carcinoma is the most common cancer in Nepal. There is no information available about the incidence and clinicopathological features of bronchogenic carcinoma from Nepal. We aimed to study the clinicopathological features of primary bronchogenic carcinoma treated in a tertiary care hospital. Methods: A retrospective case-series analysis of 136 cases of primary bronchogenic carcinoma treated between September 2001 and August 2005 in a tertiary care hospital of western Nepal was performed. Results: The median age of the male and female patients was 67 (interquartile range 60, 71.75) and 66 (interquartile range 60, 70) years, respectively. The maximum number of patients was in the 60–69 year age group. One-hundred and thirteen (83.1%) of these patients were smokers. Among the male patients, 83.3% (60/72) were smokers and females 82.8% (53/64) were smokers. The male to female ratio of the patients was 1.1: 1. The most common histological type was squamous-cell carcinoma (51.5%), followed by small-cell carcinoma (17.6%) and adenocarcinoma (8.1%). Ninety-eight (72.1%) patients were diagnosed in late stages of the disease (IIIb and IV). Conclusion: The clinicopathological features are in accordance with reports from other studies. The results of the present study indicate that bronchogenic carcinoma has a higher average age incidence, higher proportion of female patients and higher proportion of diagnosis of the disease in late stages. The higher rate of bronchogenic carcinoma among females indicates scope for further research into risk factors. Intervention measures for prevention and early diagnosis of bronchogenic carcinoma are to be undertaken. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]