Assessment of Symptomatic Post Tuberculosis Patients by Spirometry and Chest X Ray

Abstract

Introduction: TB is an infectious disease caused by the bacillus Mycobacterium tuberculosis which typically affects the lungs. The disease is spread by the people who are sick with active pulmonary TB. Up to half of TB survivors have some form of persistent pulmonary symptom despite microbiologic cure. The aim of the study was to assess the symptomatic post tuberculosis patients by using spirometry and chest x ray. Material and methods: The study was conducted in the Department of Respiratory Medicine, Rohilkhand Medical College and Hospital after seeking clearance from the Institutional Ethical Committee. The aim of the study was to assess the symptomatic post tuberculosis patients by using spirometry and chest x ray. The study duration was from 1 st November 2018 to 31 st October 2019 and 100 patients were enrolled in the study. Data was collected from patients who presented with symptoms within 6 months of completing their treatment for tuberculosis. Results: All the patients (post tubercular) enrolled in the study had symptoms (in some form) even after full course of antitubercular treatment and bacteriological cure and among these breathlessness was the most common presenting symptom (96%) followed by cough (58%). Maximum patients had abnormal findings on chest examination (80%). Fibrosis followed by cavitary lesions were the most common findings on chest x ray in post tuberculosis patients. Maximum patients had restriction (56%) in their spirometry followed by mixed pattern (23%). Conclusion: In patients with restriction on spirometry and having symptom of breathlessness and cough, reassurance and pulmonary rehabilitation may play a major role in relieving their symptoms whereas in patients with mixed or obstructive pattern on spirometry, bronchodilator therapy along with pulmonary rehabilitation may be helpful in relieving their symptoms post tuberculosis treatment.