Assessment of lung function in successfully treated tuberculosis reveals high burden of ventilatory defects and COPD

Abstract

Background Burden, phenotype and risk-factors of lung function defects in successfully treated tuberculosis cases are unclear. Methods We performed spirometry with bronchodilators in new drug-sensitive adult (≥18 years) pulmonary tuberculosis cases during the 12 months following successful treatment in India. Airflow obstruction was defined as pre-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC<5th percentile of Global Lung Initiative mixed-ethnicity reference (lower limit of normal [LLN]). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was defined as post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC