Spirometric abnormalities following treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis in Ilorin, Nigeria

Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality worldwide, and despite microbiological cure for the disease, many patients still demonstrate residual respiratory symptoms and spirometric abnormalities.

The study aimed at identifying the prevalence, pattern and factors associated with spirometric abnormalities in patients successfully treated for PTB in Ilorin, Nigeria.

This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study at the pulmonary outpatient clinics of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital and Kwara State Specialist Hospital, Sobi, Ilorin. A total of 308 consenting patients who had been certified microbiologically cured for bacteriologically confirmed PTB in the preceding 3 years had assessment of residual pulmonary symptoms, spirometry and plain chest radiograph.

The prevalence of abnormal spirometry following treatment for PTB was 72.1% (confidence interval: 0.6682-0.7695), with restrictive pattern being the predominant abnormality (42.2%). Over half of the patients (56.5%) had at least one residual respiratory symptom. The significant predictors of abnormal spirometry were PTB retreatment (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 6.918; P = 0.012), increasing modified Medical Research Council dyspnoea scores (aOR = 7.935; P = 0.008) and increasing radiologic scores (aOR = 4.679; P ≤ 0.001) after treatment.

There is significant residual lung function impairment in majority of the individuals successfully treated for PTB in Ilorin. This highlights the need for spirometric assessment and follow-up after treatment.