Chronic symptoms and pulmonary dysfunction in post-tuberculosis Brazilian patients

Background: Questionnaire and spirometry were applied to post-tuberculosis indigenous and non-indigenous individuals from Dourados, Brazil, to investigate the prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms and pulmonary dysfunction.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in cured tuberculosis individuals as reported in the National System on Reportable Diseases (SINAN) from 2002 to 2012.

Results: One hundred and twenty individuals were included in the study and the prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms was 45% (95% CI, 34-59%). Respiratory symptoms included cough (28%), sputum (23%), wheezing (22%) and dyspnea (8%). These symptoms were associated with alcoholism, AOR: 3.1 (1.2-8.4); less than 4 years of schooling, AOR: 5.0 (1.4-17.7); and previous pulmonary diseases, AOR: 5.4 (1.7-17.3). Forty-one percent (95% CI, 29-56) had pulmonary disorders, of which the most prevalent were obstructive disorders (49%), followed by obstructive disorder with reduced forced vital capacity disorders (46%) and restrictive disorders (5%). The lifestyle difference could not explain differences in chronic symptoms and/or the prevalence of pulmonary dysfunction.

Conclusion: The high prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms and pulmonary dysfunction in post-tuberculosis patients indicates a need for further interventions to reduce social vulnerability of patients successfully treated for tuberculosis.