Does childhood TB or pneumonia impact COPD or asthma in adulthood?

BACKGROUND Childhood pneumonia is known to impact asthma and COPD in adulthood. We postulated that there may be a similar association with childhood TB. METHODS We collected demographic and clinical data (including smoking history, chronic symptoms, and childhood exposures) for patients with respiratory problems attending a referral pulmonary clinic and performed spirometry and chest X-rays. We recruited patients with COPD and asthma to determine whether there was any association with childhood TB and pneumonia with regards to clinical and radiological presentations. RESULTS Out of 4,345 recruited into the study, 803 had COPD and 841 had asthma. COPD patients with childhood TB and/or pneumonia exhibited significantly declined lung function (FEV 1 %, FVC%, and FEF 25-75 %,) with a higher frequency of chronic expectorations with/without purulence, recurrent lung infections, antibiotic usage, and X-ray abnormalities. Patients with only childhood TB had more severe and frequent wheezing, exacerbations, and emphysematous changes. COPD patients having childhood TB with/without pneumonia had low BMI, more exposure to damp environments, and frequent oral steroids use in childhood. Asthma patients with childhood pneumonia had recurrent lung infections and purulent expectorations. CONCLUSION Childhood TB and/or pneumonia are risk factors for COPD with worse symptoms and lower spirometry measurements, whereas its impact on asthma was less pronounced.