Exploring Obstructive and Restrictive Patterns of Pulmonary Function in Post-Tuberculosis Patients at Secondary Care Hospital in Kohat

Zakir  Ullah; Akhtar Sherin; Syed  Fahim Shah; Muhammad  Atif Tauseef

doi:10.51253/pafmj.v76iSUPPL-1.14029

Authors

Zakir Ullah Department of Medicine, Khyber Medical University Institute of Medical Science, KDA Hospital Kohat Pakistan https://orcid.org/0009-0000-6110-512X
Akhtar Sherin Department of Medicine, Khyber Medical University Institute of Medical Science, KDA Hospital Kohat Pakistan
Syed Fahim Shah Department of Medicine, Khyber Medical University Institute of Medical Science, KDA Hospital Kohat Pakistan
Muhammad Atif Tauseef Department of Medicine, Khyber Medical University Institute of Medical Science, KDA Hospital Kohat Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51253/pafmj.v76iSUPPL-1.14029

Keywords:

Obstructive ventilatory pattern; Pakistan, Pulmonary Tuberculosis; Pulmonary function impairment; Restrictive ventilatory pattern; Spirometry; Tuberculosis sequelae

Abstract

Objective: To determine the patterns of pulmonary function impairment among patients with previously treated pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) at a secondary care hospital in Kohat, Pakistan.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Medicine, Divisional Headquarters Teaching Hospital, Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, from Aug 2024 to Jan 2025.

Methodology: A total of 139 post-tuberculosis patients who had completed the full course of anti-TB therapy with microbiological cure were included. Pulmonary function was assessed using a portable MiniSpir S spirometer, and results were categorized as normal, obstructive, restrictive, or mixed ventilatory patterns according to American Thoracic Society (ATS) and European Respiratory Society (ERS) guidelines. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 27.

Results: The mean age of participants was 52.9±13.5 years, with females comprising 54% of the sample. Most participants (74.8%) belonged to the middle-income group, and none were smokers. Spirometry revealed 56.8% normal, 33.8% restrictive, 8.6% obstructive, and 0.7% mixed ventilatory patterns. Shortness of breath was reported by 39.6% of participants and showed a significant association with both obstructive and restrictive patterns (p<0.001). A positive family history of tuberculosis was also significantly associated with pulmonary dysfunction (p = 0.04).

Conclusion: A substantial proportion of post-TB patients exhibited persistent pulmonary function impairment, predominantly of the restrictive type. These findings highlight the need for routine post-treatment pulmonary evaluation and the development of context-specific rehabilitation guidelines for tuberculosis survivors in resource-limited healthcare settings.

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