Pulmonary tuberculosis and forced vital capacity (FVC): Results from the BOLD study

Background: A history of pulmonary tuberculosis has been associated with sequelae of both restrictive and obstructive patterns. Aim: To assess the relationship of FVC and tuberculosis across 18 countries from the Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease (BOLD) Study. Methods: Population based samples of persons aged ≥40 years answered a questionnaire and performed good quality post bronchodilator spirometry (n=12407). We defined 2 groups: A: FEV1/FVC>LLN and FVC Results: Restriction with low FVC was measured in 2466 (20%) and obstruction with low FVC in 433 (4%). A history of tuberculosis was reported by 467 (4%) of participants. Figure 1 shows the meta-analyses for groups A and B stratified by country income. Obstruction with low FVC was strongly associated with a history of tuberculosis (OR 2.59; CI 1.73 -3.89). Restriction with low FVC was not associated with tuberculosis (OR 1.04; CI 0.76 -1.41). Conclusion: A history of tuberculosis is associated with low FVC only in the presence of an obstructive defect.