Chronic lung disease is another significant risk factor. Silicosis increases the risk about 30-fold.[39] Those who smoke cigarettes have nearly twice the risk of TB compared to nonsmokers.[40]
Other disease states can also increase the risk of developing tuberculosis. These include alcoholism[9] and diabetes mellitus (three-fold increase).[41]
Certain medications, such as corticosteroids and infliximab (an anti-αTNF monoclonal antibody), are becoming increasingly important risk factors, especially in the developed world.[9]
Also a genetic susceptibility element exists,[42] for which the overall importance remains undefined.[9]