Treatment outcome among Post TB obstructive airways diseases and COPD: A prospective cohort study

Post Tubercular Obstructive Airways Diseases (Post-TB OAD) is a sequela of Pulmonary TB but diseases progression may not same like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD).

To compare the frequency and severity of exacerbations, change of FEV1, frequency of hospitalization and mortality among COPD and post TB OAD patients.

Hospital-based prospective cohort study.

COPD cohort was diagnosed based on symptoms, history of exposure to risk factors and post bronchodilator FEV1/FVC ratio <70%. Post TB OAD cohort was diagnosed like COPD along with past history of Pulmonary TB. Both cohorts were followed up every 3-monthly intervals for up to 12 months.

Comparison of categorical variable was done by Chi-square test and continuous variable by unpaired t test. Longitudinal data of FEV1% were analyzed by repeated measure ANOVA test.

Totally, 68 patients with Post TB OAD and 66 COPD patients were taken into this study. The frequency of exacerbation (3.52 ± 1.84 verses 2.70 ± 1.37), number of severe exacerbation (56 verses 24) and frequency of hospitalization (1.37 ± 0.81 verses 0.97 ± 0.94) more seen in post-TB OAD cohort in compared to COPD cohort which is statistically significant. Mortality more seen in post-TB OAD group (14 verses 6). Rate of decline FEV1 per year more seen in Post-TB OAD (0.27 ± 0.28 lit verses 0.17 ± 0.26 liter) as compared to COPD. There was overall decreasing trend of FEV1% over period of 12 month but without any difference among two cohort.

There was more in frequency of exacerbations, number of severe exacerbations, frequency of hospitalization and number of mortalities among post TB OAD compared to COPD.