Study of airway hyperresponsiveness in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis

Abstract

Background Airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) is an overstated constrictor response of the airways to a diverse types of specific plus nonspecific stimuli, and it is a major, but not necessarily unique, feature of asthma. Aim This study aims to detect the presence or absence of AHR in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). Patients and methods This study included 40 patients with TB and 20 healthy age-matched and sex-matched volunteers. They were divided into three groups: group A included 20 patients with pulmonary TB under anti-TB medication after the initial phase (2 months) of treatment with successful sputum conversion, group B included 20 cured cases with past history of pulmonary TB that completed the full supervised course, and group C included 20 volunteers with matched age and sex. They were subjected to spirometry as well as methacholine bronchial challenge test and computed tomographic chest examination. Results There was a significant negative correlation between postmethacholine AHR and time passed since completion of phase of anti-TB medications in group A after initiation phase (rs=−0.642, P=0.002). The more time passed since completion of treatment, the less number of patients who had AHR. However, there is no significant correlation between them in group B after continuation phase (P=0.81). Conclusion AHR could be a prevalent feature in patients with TB under TB therapy and with past TB history. Accomplishment of anti-TB medication course might lessen the influence of AHR on patient conditions.

Keywords

• airway hyperresponsiveness
• methacholine challenge test
• post-tuberculosis patients