Successfully treated but not fit for purpose: paying attention to chronic lung impairment after TB treatment
Studies in industrialised and resource-poor countries point to a higher risk of death in TB survivors
Abstract
In 2013, 86% of patients with newly diagnosed tuberculosis (TB) successfully completed treatment and were discharged from care. However, long-term studies in industrialised and resource-poor countries all point to a higher risk of death in TB survivors than in the general population. The likely explanation is chronic restrictive and obstructive lung disease consequent to TB. We call for better linkages between TB control programmes and respiratory medicine services, a better understanding of the burden of respiratory disability at the end of anti-tuberculosis treatment, and political, programmatic, clinical and research action to improve the quality of life of affected patients.
This research was supported by the UK Department for International Development’s Operational Research Capacity Building Programme led by the International Union Against TB and Lung Disease (The Union)
Citation
Harries AD, Ade S, Burney P, Hoa NB, Schluger NW, Castro JL (2016) Successfully treated but not fit for purpose: paying attention to chronic lung impairment after TB treatment. The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Volume 20, Number 8, 1 August 2016, pp. 1010-1014(5) DOI: 10.5588/ijtld.16.0277