[Pulmonary tuberculosis: association between extent of the residual pulmonary lesion and alteration in the lung function].
OBJECTIVE
To describe alterations in spirometric variables and its disturbances and to study the existence of a relationship between extent of the residual lung lesion at the end of treatment for tuberculosis and alteration of the lung function measured by spirometry.


METHODS
Analyzed were 96 patients with diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis, treated in three health centers in the metropolitan area of Recife, from January, 2003 to November, 2005. Patients of both genders, 15 years of age or older were included, whose chest x-rays at end of the treatment were classified according to criteria of the National Tuberculosis Association (NTA) for extent of lung lesion. Patients replied to a questionnaire at the beginning of the survey, and were submitted to spirometry after conclusion of treatment.


RESULTS
Of the 96 patients, 89.6% presented with radiographic sequels. About 54% had moderate to severe sequels. These radiographic alterations correspond to 24.6% and 73.8% respectively of alterations in the pulmonary function.


CONCLUSIONS
The large number of residual radiographic lesionss (89.6%) and breathing dysfunction (66,7%) identified in this survey call attention to the fact that treatment of a patient with pulmonary tuberculosis must not be restricted to bacteriological healing of the disease. Identification of the residual lung lesions and of the breathing dysfunction in patients who conclude treatment will promote early actions to treat these sequels, improving the quality of life of these patients.
Cruz
Rita de Cássia Santa
Rde C
Hospital das Clinicas da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco - UFPE, Pós-Graduaçāo em Medicina Tropical, Departmento de Medicina Clinica da UFPE, Recife, PE. ritascruz@ig.com.br
De Albuquerque
Maria de Fátima Pessoa Militão
Mde F
Campelo
Antônio Roberto Leite
AR
Costa e Silva
Eduardo Just da
EJ
Mazza
Edmílson
E
Menezes
Renata Carneiro
RC
Kosminsky
Samuel
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000503:physiopathology; D001938:Brazil; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012016:Reference Values; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012907:Smoking / Q000503:physiopathology; D013147:Spirometry; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014797:Vital Capacity / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult