Evaluation Of Post-Treatment Health- Related Quality Of Life (Hrqol) Lung Function And Exercise Capacity In A Cured Tuberculosis Population: A Prospective Cohort Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.66021/pakmcr1036Keywords:
Pulmonary tuberculosis, health-related quality of life, post-tuberculosis lung disease, pulmonary rehabilitation, tuberculosis survivors.Abstract
Background: Many survivors of tuberculosis continue to have impaired lung function and diminished quality of life despite achieving microbiological cure.
Objective: To evaluate the level of post-treatment health-related quality of life (HRQoL), lung function and exercise capacity in a prospective cohort study of cured pulmonary TB patients.
Methodology: This was a prospective longitudinal cohort study carried out at the Federal Government Tuberculosis Center, Rawalpindi, Pakistan from June 2023 to May 2024. After completion of ATT, 68 eligible participants were enrolled and 52 patients completed all follow-up assessments and were included in the final analysis. Spirometry, chest radiography, 6MWT, Modified Borg Scale and SF-36 questionnaire were used to assess the participants at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Repeated Measures ANOVA was used for data analysis and p-values < 0.05 were deemed significant.
Results: The mean age of participants was 31.31 ± 11.87 years, with males and females equally represented (26; 50.0% each). Bilateral lung involvement was observed in 27 (51.9%) patients. Pulmonary function significantly declined during follow-up, with FEV1 decreasing from 31.98 ± 12.93 to 29.99 ± 15.75 and FVC from 37.19 ± 12.28 to 32.78 ± 11.40 (p < 0.001). Chest infiltrates improved from 52 (100%) patients at baseline to 39 (75.0%) at 6 months, while consolidation reduced from 35 (67.3%) to 18 (34.6%). Exercise capacity showed no significant improvement, although dyspnea scores significantly improved (p < 0.001). SF-36 analysis demonstrated improvement in emotional well-being and pain domains, while most quality-of-life domains remained persistently impaired.
Conclusion: Patients with cured pulmonary TB still have significant long-term deficits in lung function, exercise capacity and quality of life and require rehabilitation and follow-up programs to address these deficits.
