Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a leading cause of long-term respiratory complications despite successful treatment. Posttubercular lung disease (PTLD) includes chronic symptoms such as dyspnea and airflow limitations. This study assesses pulmonary function and clinicoradiological outcomes in patients with PTLD over 6 months of follow-up. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational longitudinal study was conducted on 77 patients post-TB treatment. Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and chest X-rays were evaluated at three intervals: end of treatment, 3 months, and 6 months. The patients’ demographic, clinical, and occupational history, including addiction and biomass exposure, were analyzed alongside their pulmonary function recovery. Results: At the end of treatment, 40.26% of patients had normal PFTs, which improved to 50.88% at 6 months. The proportion of patients with obstructive and restrictive lung patterns decreased significantly over time. Dyspnea severity also declined, with 47.37% of patients reporting very mild dyspnea by 6 months. X-ray findings demonstrated marked improvements, with 93.51% of patients exhibiting mild lung involvement at 6 months. Statistical analysis confirmed significant improvements in PFT results, dyspnea, and radiological findings. Conclusions: The study highlights significant improvements in lung function and respiratory symptoms in patients post-TB treatment. Although most patients showed recovery, some continued to experience airflow limitations, emphasizing the need for long-term follow-up and pulmonary rehabilitation in TB survivors.
Murarka et al. (2026) studied this question.