Airflow obstruction and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are common in pulmonary tuberculosis even without sequelae findings on chest X-ray

• Published in: Infectious diseases (London, England) England), 2023-08, Vol.55 (8), p.533-542
• Main Authors: Park, Hye Jung, Byun, Min Kwang, Lee, Jaeuk, Kim, Chi Young, Shin, Sojung, Kim, Youlim, Rhee, Chin Kook, Jung, Ki Suck, Yoo, Kwang Ha
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: airflow obstruction; COPD; Pulmonary tuberculosis
• ISSN: 2374-4235; 2374-4243
• DOI: 10.1080/23744235.2023.2217904

Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is a well-known risk factor for airflow obstruction and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The prognosis of TB without sequelae on chest X-ray (CXR) remains uncertain. We used the 2008-2009 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) data and 2007-2012 KNHANES-matched Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service cohort data. Airflow obstruction was assessed using a pulmonary function test. COPD was defined using diagnostic codes and the use of COPD medication for 3-year. We classified subjects into three groups based on TB history and sequelae on CXR. In 4911 subjects, the CXR(-) (no TB sequelae on CXR) post-TB group (n = 134) showed similar characteristics and normal lung function compared to that of the control group (n = 4,405), while the CXR(+) (TB sequelae on CXR) post-TB group (n = 372) showed different characteristics and reduced lung function. The prevalence of airflow obstruction was 9.3%, 13.4%, and 26.6% in control, CXR(-) post-TB, and CXR(+) post-TB groups, respectively. COPD was more common in the post-TB with CXR(+) (6.5%) or without CXR (-) (4.5%) groups, than in the control group (1.8%). Compared to the CXR(-) post-TB group, the control group showed a lower risk for airflow obstruction (OR, 0.774; p = .008). The CXR(+) post-TB group showed a higher risk for airflow obstruction (OR, 1.456; p = .011). The Control group also showed a lower risk for the development of COPD than the CXR(-) post-TB group (OR, 0.496; p = .011). We need to educate TB patients that airway obstruction and COPD can easily develop, even if TB sequelae are not observed on CXR.