Pulmonary functional assessment: longitudinal study after treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis.

Even when treated adequately, pulmonary tuberculosis can lead to pulmonary sequelae. Patients treated for PTB between 2012 and 2016 answered a standardized questionnaire and underwent chest radiography and spirometry, measurement of absolute pulmonary volume, Diffusing Capacity for Carbon Monoxide (DLCO) and the 6-min walk test (6MWT) on two occasions: within the first year after the end of treatment (follow-up 1), and one and two years after follow-up 1 (follow-up 2). A total of 55 patients they underwent spirometry, 23 (41.82%) had obstructive ventilatory disorder (OVD) and eight (14.5%) had moderate OVD. In total, 29 patients underwent pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and 24 patients underwent the 6MWT on two occasions. The functional changes after PTB treatment appear not to have varied between one and two years of follow-up. There was a correlation between low FEV1 and low DLCO (p<0.001); low DLCO and low 6MWT (p<0.001) and radiographic abnormalities and low FEV1 (p=0.033). The most frequently observed change in spirometry was found in patients with OVD.

Spirometry results after treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis: comparison between patients with and without previous lung disease: a multicenter study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare patients with and without previous lung disease, in terms of the spirometry results after they had been treated for pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and cured, as well as to analyze risk factors related to functional severity. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional, multicenter study conducted at four referral centers in Brazil. Patients were divided into two groups: those with a history of lung disease or smoking (LDS+ group); and those with no such history (LDS- group). Patients underwent spirometry (at least six months after being cured). Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected. RESULTS: A total of 378 patients were included: 174 (46.1%) in the LDS+ group and 204 (53.9%) in the LDS- group. In the sample as a whole, 238 patients (62.7%) had spirometric changes. In the LDS+ group, there was a predominance of obstructive lung disease (in 33.3%), whereas restrictive lung disease predominated in the LDS- group (in 24.7%). Radiological changes were less common in the LDS- group than in the LDS+ group (p < 0.01), as were functional changes (p < 0.05). However, of the 140 (79.1%) LDS- group patients with a normal or minimally altered chest X-ray, 76 (54%) had functional changes (p < 0.01). The risk factors associated with functional severity in the LDS- group were degree of dyspnea (p = 0.03) and moderate or severe radiological changes (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Impaired pulmonary function is common after treatment for PTB, regardless of the history of lung disease or smoking. Spirometry should be suggested for patients who develop moderate/severe dyspnea or relevant radiological changes after treatment for PTB.

Espirometria em pré-escolares asmáticos: avaliação da taxa de sucesso / Spirometry in preschools with asthma: evaluate the success rate

Introdução: a asma pode iniciar-se na idade pré-escolar e sua morbidade é elevada. Atualmente, o diagnóstico é centrado apenas no exame clínico, mas a espirometria é um método objetivo realizado rotineiramente em países desenvolvidos. No Brasil, ela é subutilizada e há poucos trabalhos acerca desse tema na literatura nacional. Objetivos: avaliar a taxa de sucesso da espirometria em pré-escolares asmáticos. Metodologia: foirealizado estudo transversal no Laboratório de Função Pulmonar do Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais entre o período de 2009 e 2013. Foram coletados dados de 238 espirometrias de pré-escolares e destas foram triadas 64 crianças de três aseis anos, com diagnóstico médico de asma, excluindo-se, assim, os testes de pacientes com outros diagnósticos. As espirometrias foram realizadas com base nos critérios de reprodutibilidade e aceitabilidade preconizados pela American Thoracic Society (ATS). Os critérios de aceitabilidade foram: ausência de artefatos nas curvas, início satisfatórioda inspiração, inspiração máxima antes do início do teste, evidência de esforço máximo, expiração sem hesitação e término adequado (platô no último segundo da curva expiratória forçada). Em todas as curvas o volume de retroextrapolação foi inferior a 5% da CVF. As curvas foram altamente reprodutíveis, com volumes pulmonares não variandomais de 5%. O paciente realizou quantas tentativas fossem necessárias. A taxa de sucesso foi calculada pelo número de espirometrias aceitáveis e reprodutíveis sobre o número de espirometrias não aceitáveis. Resultados: foram avaliadas 64 crianças com diagnóstico de asma, 33 de sexo masculino e 31 de sexo feminino. A taxa de sucesso da espirometriafoi de 64% (IC 95%, 51,0-75,4). A taxa de sucesso estratificada por idade foi de 60 e 56%, respectivamente, para as idades de três e quatro anos; e 85 e 82%, respectivamente, para as idades de cinco e seis anos. Discussão: a taxa de sucesso do estudo foi elevada e aumentou com a idade, o que reforça que a espirometria é um método não invasivo quepoderia ser normatizado nos laboratórios de função pulmonar e contribuiria para o adequado diagnóstico e manejo terapêutico da asma em pré-escolares. Conclusão: a maioria das crianças conseguiu realizar a espirometria. Deve-se ter em vista que foi a primeira vezque as crianças realizaram o teste da espirometria, o que revela a viabilidade de aumentar essa taxa adaptando o laboratório às condições preconizadas pela ATS.

Introduction: The asthma can emerge at the preschool age and it has a high morbidity. For the time being, it?s diagnosis is centered around the clinical exam. However, the spirometry is an objective method performed as a routine in developed countries to asses that diagnosis. In Brazil, this test is underexploited and there are only a few papers about this subject atthe national literature. Objectives: Evaluate the success rate of the spirometry in preschools with asthma. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Pulmonary Function Laboratory of theClinics Hospital, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil, in the period between 2009 and 2013. Data of 238 spirometries were collected and 64 children from 3 to 6 years with medical diagnosis of asma were sorted, excluding, then, the tests of the patients with other pulmonarydiseases. The spirometries were performed based on thecriteria of reproducibility and acceptability recommendedby the American Thoracic Society (ATS). The acceptabilitycriteria were: absence of artefacts at the curves, satisfactorybeginning of inspiration, maximum inspiration prior to the beginning of the test, evidence of maximum effort, expiration without hesitation and adequate finishing (presence of plateau at the last second of the forced expiratory curve). At all the curves, the volume of retro-extrapolationwas lesser than 5% the VFC. The curves were highly reproducible,with pulmonary volumes not variating more than 5%. The patient performed the test as many times as it was needed. The success rate was calculated by the number of acceptable and reproducible spirometries divided bythe number of non-acceptable spirometries. Results: 64 children with the diagnosis of asthma were evalued, 33 males and 31 females. The success rate was 64% (CI 95%, 51,0 ? 75,4). The success rate stratified by age was 60% and 56%, respectively, to the ages of 3 and 4 years old;and 85% e 82%, respectively, to the ages of 5 and 6 years old. Discussion: The study?s success rate was elevated and has increased with age, with reinforces that the spirometry is a non-invasive method that could be normatized at the pulmonary function laboratories, and would contribute to the adequate diagnosis and therapeutic management ofasthma in preschool children. Conclusion: The majority of the children was able to perform the spirometry. It has to be taken into consideration that is the first time those children managed to perform the spirometry test, which indicates feasibility to enhancing that rate by adapting the laboratory to the conditions endorsed by ATS.

Perfil funcional de pacientes portadores de seqüela de tuberculose de um hospital universitário / Functional profile of patients with tuberculosis sequelae in a university hospital

OBJETIVO: Descrever os dados de função pulmonar de pacientes com seqüela de tuberculose pulmonar, pleural e pleuropulmonar. MÉTODOS: Em um ambulatório de tuberculose de um hospital universitário, de 218 pacientes atendidos, 56 tinham seqüela de tuberculose pulmonar, pleural e pleuropulmonar, e 162 tiveram outros tipos de tuberculose. No laboratório de função pulmonar, 43 foram elegíveis para o estudo, de fevereiro de 2000 a julho de 2004. Foram excluídos os pacientes com doenças prévias, como: asma; doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica; insuficiência cardíaca; doenças do colágeno; silicose; cirurgia torácica prévia; e espirometria inaceitável ou não realizada. Os campos pulmonares foram divididos em seis zonas e os radiogramas classificados em: grau I, com mínimo envolvimento em somente uma zona sem cavitação; grau II, com envolvimento de duas ou três zonas ou uma zona com cavitação; grau III, com envolvimento grave em mais de três zonas com ou sem cavitação. RESULTADOS: Cinqüenta pacientes foram incluídos no estudo e 44 deles tiveram tuberculose pulmonar (88 por cento). O distúrbio ventilatório combinado foi o mais prevalente, 17/50 (34 por cento). Os distúrbios acentuados foram mais significativos no grau III (p = 0,0002). A função pulmonar normal predominou nos graus I e II (p = 0,002). CONCLUSÃO: A descoberta e o tratamento precoce dos casos de tuberculose pulmonar contribuem para a diminuição dos casos da doença e de suas seqüelas, melhorando a qualidade de vida desses pacientes. Os autores sugerem uma análise logitudinal e seqüencial (protocolo), com maior número de pacientes com seqüelas de tuberculose nos serviços de referência no Brasil.

Functional profile of patients with tuberculosis sequelae in a university hospital.

OBJECTIVE: To describe data related to the pulmonary function of patients with sequelae of pulmonary tuberculosis, pleural tuberculosis or both. METHODS: In the outpatient clinic of a university hospital, 218 patients were evaluated. Of those 218, 56 had sequelae of tuberculosis (pulmonary, pleural or both), and 162 had other types of tuberculosis. All patients were evaluated in the pulmonary function laboratory between February 2000 and July 2004, and 43 were found to be eligible for inclusion in the study. Patients with a history of asthma, chronic pulmonary obstructive disease, cardiac insufficiency, collagen diseases, silicosis or thoracic surgery, as well as those for whom spirometry yielded unacceptable results or was not performed, were excluded. The lung fields were divided into six zones, and radiographic results were classified by degree: I (involvement of only one zone with no cavitation); II (involvement of two or three zones or of one zone with cavitation); or III (extensive involvement of three or more zones with or without cavitation). RESULTS: The final study sample comprised 50 patients, 44 (88%) of whom had pulmonary tuberculosis. The most prevalent form (17/50; 34%) was mixed ventilatory disturbance. Severe disturbances were more significant in degree III radiographs (p = 0.0002) and normal pulmonary function was predominant among patients presenting degree I and II radiographs (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: The early discovery and treatment of tuberculosis contribute to reduce the number of cases, as well as the incidence of tuberculosis sequelae, thereby improving the quality of life of tuberculosis patients. Further studies, involving longitudinal, sequential analysis and larger samples of patients with tuberculosis sequelae, should be conducted in referral centers in Brazil.