CROSS-SECTIONAL DESCRIPTIVE STUDY OF CORRELATION BETWEEN DELAY IN DIAGNOSIS OF PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS AND PULMONARY FUNCTION IN PREVIOUSLY TREATED PATIENTS IN A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE

Aim: To assess the lung function and the factors associated with a change in lung function among patients who were previously treated for pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). To nd out the relationship between Delay in Diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (interval between onset of PTB symptoms and diagnosis of disease) with the Severity of lung function. It is a Materials And Methods: cross-sectional descriptive study conducted in a tertiary care center over 1 year after attaining the ethical clearance. The study population of 85 patients presenting in Respiratory Medicine OPD with clinical and radiological features of pulmonary tuberculosis sequelae. The data collected were statistically analyzed. A total of 85 patients were Results: included in the study as the study population. Among the study population, the most common type of lung disease was Mixed pattern - 33 (38.8%) followed by obstructive pattern 20 (23.5%) and restrictive pattern 19 (22.4%) and the least common 13 (15.3%) was Normal pattern. Diagnostic delay (days) had a negative correlation with FVC (Forced Vital Capacity)-restrictive pattern, FEV1(Forced Expiratory Volume)-obstructive pattern, FEV1/FVC ratio, MEF 25-75%(Maximal Expiratory Flow)-small airways obstruction, and DLCO (Diffusing capacity of Lung for Carbon Monoxide). PTB has a signicant effect on Conclusion: lung function even after the successful completion of treatment. Patients with diagnostic delay in pulmonary tuberculosis will have a high chance of ending up with chronic lung disease in the post-treatment phase of PTB. Routine use of spirometry and early identication of these patients will decrease the burden of postTuberculosis sequelae in India and also around the World. This will also improve the quality of life in sequelae patients.