Study finds tuberculosis lasting effects on lung health

A new research being presented at the ESCMID Global Congress revealed that tuberculosis (TB) can have a lasting impact on the lungs of individuals who have been successfully treated for the disease.

TB survivors frequently exhibit smaller lungs and narrower airways, resulting in decreased airflow. While antibiotic treatment can cure TB, many individuals still experience lasting lung damage, impacting both their quality of life and life expectancy. However, comprehensive data regarding the specific nature and extent of respiratory impairment among survivors remains scarce.

The study included data on 75,631 individuals from 15 studies conducted in 17 countries with varying TB incidences. Four measures of lung function were included in the analysis: forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1, the volume of air can be forcefully exhaled in one second); forced vital capacity (FVC, the volume of air that can be forcefully exhaled in a single breath); FEV1/FVC ratio; FVC as a percentage of the predicted value (compares the volume to the average of a healthy person of the same age, sex and height).

The results showed that compared to the healthy controls, the participants with prior TB had significantly lower results on all four measures of lung function, with FEV1 more affected than FVC. Further, TB survivors have 65% higher odds of airflow obstruction (AFO) than the healthy controls.

The findings indicated that TB can have long-lasting effects on lung structure and function, resulting in smaller lungs and narrower airways. This can lead to less efficient breathing, especially during activities like exercise.

“Our results strongly indicate that post-tuberculosis lung disease is an under-recognised global challenge – and one that has significant implications for clinical practice and policy. The focus, until now, has been on the treatment of acute TB, but even when treatment is successful, individuals can be left with significant lung damage. This can cause breathlessness that can affect their ability to work and go about their day-to-day lives and reduces their quality of life that suggests that there is an urgent need for evidence-based recommendations on the diagnosis, treatment and management of post-tuberculosis lung disease,” explained lead researcher Dr SharenjaRatnakumar, of St George’s, University of London, London, UK.

Reference: Tuberculosis can have a lasting impact on the lung health of individuals who have been successfully treated for the disease; EUROPEAN SOCIETY OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES; Meeting: ESCMID Global (ECCMID 2024)