Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Patients with Chronic Lung Impairment from Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Setting Our study was conducted at a tertiary care center for respiratory illnesses (Viswanathan Chest Hospital, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute (VPCI), University of Delhi, Delhi, India). Patients were enrolled in the study from the outpatient clinic. Objective To assess the effects of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) in patients with chronic lung impairment from previously treated tuberculosis (CLIPTB), on exercise capacity (six-minute walk distance), pulmonary function tests, quality of life and markers of systemic inflammation. Design Prospective cohort study including 29 patients who had finished anti-tubercular therapy and currently had symptoms of dyspnea with or without cough secondary to CLIPTB. Result Significant improvement in six-minute walk distance (488 meters at baseline vs 526 meters post PR intervention, p-value 0.033) and chronic respiratory questionnaire score (17.21 at baseline vs 18.96 post PR intervention, p-value 0.025) with pulmonary rehabilitation was noted. Pulmonary function tests, inflammatory markers and mid-thigh muscle mass trended towards improvement with pulmonary rehabilitation but were not statistically significant. Conclusion Our study shows that pulmonary rehabilitation is an effective intervention in post-tuberculosis patients and should be recommended.