Abstract:

Objective To investigate the effects of inactive tuberculosis on the clinical features of patients with combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE). Methods The high resolution computer tomography (HRCT) was adopted to screen the patients. Patients were divided into the observation group (CPFE patients with inactive pulmonary tuberculosis, n=42) and control group (CPFE patients, n=38). The visual semi-quantitative scoring system was employed to quantify fibrosis, emphysema, and inactive tuberculosis. According to scores of inactive pulmonary tuberculosis, the observation group was further divided into the ≥10 points group (n=18) and <10 points group (n=24). Indexes of arterial blood gas analysis, indexes of pulmonary function, and HRCT manifestation and scores of groups were compared. Results Compared with the control group, patients of the observation group whose ratios of forced expiratory volume in first second to forced vital capacity that were less than 70% were more (28/42), and the maximal expiratory flow of 25% vital capacity and maximal middle expiratory flow were lower. Furthermore, the maximal expiratory flow of 50% vital capacity of the ≥10 points group was even lower (P<0.05). The differences of the emphysema score, fibrosis score, and arterial oxygen pressure of groups were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Conclusion Inactive tuberculosis can aggravate the airflow obstruction of patients with CPFE.

Key words: pulmonary fibrosis, emphysema, inactive pulmonary tuberculosis, high resolution computer tomography, pulmonary function