Persistent chronic respiratory symptoms despite TB cure is poorly correlated with lung function

Allwood, B. W., Stolbrink, Marie, Baines, N., Louw, E., Wademan, D. T., Lupton-Smith, A., Nel, S., Maree, D., Mpagama, S., Osman, M., Marx, F. M., Hoddinott, G., Lesosky, Maia ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2026-958X, Rylance, Jamie ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2323-3611 and Mortimer, Kevin ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8118-8871 (2021) 'Persistent chronic respiratory symptoms despite TB cure is poorly correlated with lung function'. International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Vol 25, Issue 4, pp. 262-270.

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Persistent respiratory symptoms and lung function deficits are common after patients with TB. We aimed to define the burden of post-TB lung disease (PTLD) and assess associations between symptoms and impairment in two high TB incidence communities.

METHODS: This was a cross-sectional survey of adults in Cape Town, South Africa who completed TB treatment 1–5 years previously. Questionnaires, spirometry and 6-minute walking distance (6MWD) were used to assess relationships between outcome measures and associated factors.

RESULTS: Of the 145 participants recruited (mean age: 42 years, range: 18–75; 55 [38%] women), 55 (38%) had airflow obstruction and 84 (58%) had low forced vital capacity (FVC); the mean 6MWD was 463 m (range: 240–723). Respiratory symptoms were common: chronic cough (n = 27, 19%), wheeze (n = 61, 42%) and dyspnoea (modified MRC dyspnoea score 3 or 4: n = 36, 25%). There was poor correlation between FVC or obstruction and 6MWD. Only low body mass index showed consistent association with outcomes on multivariable analyses. Only 19 (13%) participants had a diagnosis of respiratory disease, and 16 (11%) currently received inhalers.

CONCLUSION: There was substantial burden of symptoms and physiological impairment in this “cured” population, but poor correlation between objective outcome measures, highlighting deficits in our understanding of PTLD.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	WA Public Health > Health Problems of Special Population Groups > WA 395 Health in developing countries WF Respiratory System > WF 100 General works WF Respiratory System > Tuberculosis > WF 200 Tuberculosis (General) WF Respiratory System > Lungs > WF 600 Lungs
Faculty: Department:	Clinical Sciences & International Health > Clinical Sciences Department
Digital Object Identifer (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.5588/ijtld.20.0906
Depositing User:	Stacy Murtagh
Date Deposited:	25 Mar 2021 12:29
Last Modified:	25 Mar 2021 12:29
URI:	https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/17360

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