AN ASSESSMENT OF PLEUROPULMONARY POST-TUBERCULOSIS PATIENTS IN A TEACHING HOSPITAL IN EAST INDIA

Abstract

Objectives: Quality of life of a patient may be impaired seriously in the aftermath of pleuropulmonary tuberculosis (TB) even after being cured or taking adequate treatment. Proper evaluation of post-TB sequelae is of extreme clinical importance. The study objective was to assess demographic, clinical, radiological, and spirometric pattern of pleuropulmonary post-TB patients in a teaching hospital. Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was carried out in a teaching hospital in India over a period of 14 months. A total of 300 patients of more than 12 years of age from both genders were included in the study. Detailed history, clinical, radiological, microbiological, and spirometric evaluation were being carried out. Results: It was a male predominant study with male: female ratio of 2.29:1 and mean age of patient was 52.97 ± 0.51 (mean±standard error of mean) years. History of pleural and pulmonary TB was present in 11% and 89% of cases, respectively. Cough was present in all patients. Shortness of breath (86.33%) and hemoptysis (58.33%) were among other common presenting symptoms. In majority of cases, pulmonary involvement was unilateral (57%). Pleural fibrosis/thickening was seen in 11% of cases, lung parenchymal fibrosis 38.67%, bronchiectasis in 12.67%, and aspergilloma found in 7% of cases. Bacteriological positivity was detected in 14.33% of cases. Spirometric evaluation revealed restrictive pattern (50.20%) in most of the cases followed by obstructive pattern in 38.13% of cases. Conclusion: Respiratory symptoms, radiological, and spirometric abnormalities can present among pleuropulmonary post-TB patients as a sequelae. It may be considered as an important cause of chronic lung disease, particularly in high TB burden countries.