Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as a comorbidity in pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Manjeri, Kerala

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as a comorbidity among pulmonary tuberculosis patients is less studied in south India.
Objective: To determine the proportion of Pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Manjeri Tuberculosis Unit who have COPD as a co-morbidity.
Materials and Methods: Study design -Cross sectional study. Study setting -Manjeri Tuberculosis unit of Malapuram district. Study population -All diagnosed Pulmonary Tuberculosis patients registered in the Manjeri Tuberculosis unit of Malapuram district. Sample size-178 patients satisfying inclusion criteria. Study tools- Questionnaire – A structured questionnaire used for collecting the basic demographic data and patient characteristics. COPD screener tool to be applied at the start of treatment. Pulmonary function test at end of intensive phase in patients or when patients are sputum smear negative, whichever is later.
Results: Of the total 181 persons who participated in the study 114[62.98%] were males. 35[19.34%] were smokers. 70 persons reported to have some form of chronic respiratory illness in the past. By using the COPD screener tool, 70 persons [38.89%] had score from 5 to 10 implying that they had high chance of having COPD. Spirometry was done for 174 persons. 31(17.81%) persons showed evidence of obstructive airway disease.
Conclusion: The prevalence of COPD among pulmonary tuberculosis patients was 17.81%. In a high tuberculosis burden country like India, more studies are needed to find out how COPD in tuberculosis patients adversely affects the disease progression, morbidity, and mortality.