Clinico-radiological profile of post Tuberculosis obstructive airway disease patients: A multicentre prospective study

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major global health problem, and a significant proportion of patients develop long-term pulmonary sequelae even after successful treatment, collectively termed post-tuberculosis lung disease (PTLD). PTLD contributes substantially to the global burden of chronic lung disease and encompasses a spectrum of abnormalities involving large and small airways (including bronchiectasis and obstructive lung disease), lung parenchyma, pulmonary vasculature, and pleura. Pulmonary TB has been strongly associated with the development of chronic airflow obstruction, which is objectively defined using post-bronchodilator spirometry, the gold standard diagnostic tool. Airflow obstruction may develop during active TB or after treatment, likely due to TB-related structural damage, particularly involving the small airways, along with shared risk factors. However, the underlying mechanisms, natural history, and treatment response of post-TB airway disease remain poorly understood. Despite the high prevalence of TB-associated obstructive pulmonary disease (TOPD) in India, there is limited guidance on its diagnosis and management. Generating region-specific data on clinical presentation and pulmonary function abnormalities is essential to improve understanding of disease behavior and guide optimal management strategies.