Pulmonary function in cured pulmonary tuberculosis cases.

Area of Science:

• Pulmonology
• Infectious Diseases
• Clinical Medicine

Background:

• Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) survivors often experience persistent lung dysfunction, a condition under-documented in routine clinical practice.
• The prevalence and spectrum of lung function abnormalities post-TB treatment remain largely unknown.
• This study addresses the need to quantify lung dysfunction and exercise capacity in cured PTB patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To estimate the prevalence of lung function abnormalities in patients cured of PTB.
• To assess exercise capacity, including diffusion capacity of lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO), in cured PTB cases.
• To identify patterns of lung dysfunction (obstructive, restrictive, mixed) and DLCO reduction.

Main Methods:

• A hospital-based observational study involving 100 cured PTB patients.
• Spirometry and DLCO measurements were performed to assess lung function.
• The Modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale and 6-minute walk test (6MWT) were used to evaluate symptoms and exercise capacity.

Main Results:

• 83% of patients exhibited abnormal spirometry results.
• Obstructive, restrictive, and mixed patterns were observed in 17%, 32%, and 34% of patients, respectively.
• A significant proportion of patients showed reduced DLCO, with 43% having moderate reduction and 4% severe reduction; over half with normal spirometry had reduced DLCO.

Conclusions:

• Abnormal lung function is prevalent even after successful anti-TB treatment.
• Diffusion capacity of lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) may serve as a sensitive indicator for lung function evaluation in cured PTB patients.
• Strengthening early TB detection and establishing pulmonary rehabilitation guidelines for cured PTB patients are recommended.