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

ABSTRACT

Introduction: TB is an infectious disease caused by thebacillus Mycobacterium tuberculosis which typically affectsthe lungs. The disease is spread by the people who are sick withactive pulmonary TB. Up to half of TB survivors have someform of persistent pulmonary symptom despite microbiologiccure. The aim of the study was to assess the symptomatic posttuberculosis patients by using spirometry and chest x ray.Material and methods: The study was conducted in theDepartment of Respiratory Medicine, Rohilkhand MedicalCollege and Hospital after seeking clearance from theInstitutional Ethical Committee. The aim of the study was toassess the symptomatic post tuberculosis patients by usingspirometry and chest x ray. The study duration was from 1stNovember 2018 to 31st October 2019 and 100 patients wereenrolled in the study. Data was collected from patients whopresented with symptoms within 6 months of completing theirtreatment for tuberculosis.Results: All the patients (post tubercular) enrolled in thestudy had symptoms (in some form) even after full courseof antitubercular treatment and bacteriological cure andamong these breathlessness was the most common presentingsymptom (96%) followed by cough (58%). Maximum patientshad abnormal findings on chest examination (80%). Fibrosisfollowed by cavitary lesions were the most common findingson chest x ray in post tuberculosis patients. Maximum patientshad restriction (56%) in their spirometry followed by mixedpattern (23%).Conclusion: In patients with restriction on spirometry andhaving symptom of breathlessness and cough, reassurance andpulmonary rehabilitation may play a major role in relievingtheir symptoms whereas in patients with mixed or obstructivepattern on spirometry, bronchodilator therapy along withpulmonary rehabilitation may be helpful in relieving theirsymptoms post tuberculosis treatment.