Abstract
Little is known of functional sequelae of tuberculosis. The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pulmonary tuberculosis.
Methods: In consecutive 224 patients treated for pulmonary tuberculosis (between the ages of 20 and 82 years) who were observed at a local dispensary pulmonary function tests were performed.
Results: Pulmonary impairment was present in 105 (46,9%) patients including 81 (36,2%) patients with airflow obstruction (FEV1/FVC <0.7) and 24 (10,7%) patients with restrictive pattern (FEV1/FVC ≥0.7 and FVC or FEV1<80% predicted). Of 224 patients, GOLD criteria classified 10,3% of subjects as having mild COPD, 19,2% subjects as having moderate COPD, and 6,7% as having severe COPD. The prevalence of stage II or higher COPD in patients aged 40 and older and in younger patients was 31% and 5%, respectively (p<0,001). In patients with culture-positive pulmonary tuberculosis in the past the prevalence of stage II or higher COPD was 32% and in patients with culture-negative pulmonary tuberculosis the prevalence of stage II or higher COPD was 17% (p<0,05). In patients who had two or more episodes of tuberculosis the prevalence of stage II or higher COPD was 47% and in patients with one episode the prevalence of stage II or higher COPD was 23% (p<0,01).). We did not find influence of gender, smoking on the prevalence of stage II or higher COPD.
Conclusions: A microbiological cure is not the end of illness. Tuberculosis is associated with frequent airflow obstruction. Culture-positive pulmonary tuberculosis in the past, episodes of tuberculosis may increase the prevalence of stage II or higher COPD.
- © 2011 ERS