title: Trends and predictors of changes in pulmonary function after treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study aimed to investigate the trends in changes in pulmonary function and the risk factors for pulmonary function deterioration in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis after completing treatment.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Patients usually have pulmonary function abnormalities after completing treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis. The time course for changes in pulmonary function and the risk factors for deterioration have not been well studied.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 115 patients with 162 pulmonary function results were analyzed. We retrieved demographic and clinical data, radiographic scores, bacteriological data, and pulmonary function data. A generalized additive model with a locally weighted scatterplot smoothing technique was used to evaluate the trends in changes in pulmonary function. A generalized estimating equation model was used to determine the risk factors associated with deterioration of pulmonary function.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median interval between the end of anti-tuberculosis treatment and the pulmonary function test was 16 months (range: 0 to 112 months). The nadir of pulmonary function occurred approximately 18 months after the completion of the treatment. The risk factors associated with pulmonary function deterioration included smear-positive disease, extensive pulmonary involvement prior to anti-tuberculosis treatment, prolonged anti-tuberculosis treatment, and reduced radiographic improvement after treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  After the completion of anti-tuberculosis TB treatment, several risk factors predicted pulmonary function deterioration. For patients with significant respiratory symptoms and multiple risk factors, the pulmonary function test should be followed up to monitor the progression of functional impairment, especially within the first 18 months after the completion of anti-tuberculosis treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Kuei-Pin
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Jung-Yueh
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Chih-Hsin
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Huey-Dong
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Jann-Yuan
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Li-Na
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Chong-Jen
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Pan-Chyr
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008954:Models, Biological; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents