PREVALENCE, PATTERNS AND FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH ABNORMAL LUNG FUNCTION AMONG MYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS SURVIVORS IN MBALE REGIONAL REFERRAL HOSPITAL, UGANDA.
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Date
2026-09-01
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Abstract
Background
Tuberculosis (TB) remains the leading cause of death from a single infectious disease, with
Africa contributing substantially to the global burden. Although improvements in early
diagnosis and treatment have increased treatment success rates, a considerable proportion of
TB survivors develop persistent respiratory impairment, including abnormal lung function
after completion of treatment.
Objectives: To determine the prevalence, patterns and factors associated with abnormal lung
functions among TB survivors managed at Mbale Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH), between
January 2020 and December 2024.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among 309 TB survivors managed at MRRH.
Sociodemographic and clinical data were extracted from medical records. Lung function was
assessed using pre- and post-bronchodilator spirometry to determine forced expiratory volume
in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC), and spirometry patterns were classified
as obstructive, restrictive, mixed, or normal.
Data were analysed using Stata 17. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were performed using
modified Poisson regression to identify factors associated with abnormal lung function.
Results: Most participants were male, 176 (57.0%), and the mean age was 42.0 years (SD
12.2). Overall, the prevalence of abnormal lung function was 163 (52.8%). The most common
spirometry abnormality was an obstructive pattern, 88 (28.5%), followed by a restrictive
pattern, 62 (20.1%), and a mixed pattern, 13 (4.2%). In multivariable analysis, outpatient status
at the time of TB diagnosis (aPR 1.34; 95% CI: 1.05–1.71; p=0.021), rural residence (aPR 1.34;
95% CI: 1.06–1.69; p=0.015), exposure to biomass fuel (aPR 1.58; 95% CI: 1.06–2.35;
p=0.024), and having more than one previous episode of TB (aPR 1.41; 95% CI: 1.08–1.83;
p=0.011) were significantly associated with abnormal lung function.
Conclusion: Abnormal lung function was common among TB survivors at MRRH, affecting
more than half of the study participants. Obstructive lung function abnormality was the
predominant spirometry pattern. Outpatient status at TB diagnosis, rural residence, biomass
fuel exposure and recurrent TB were independently associated with abnormal lung function.
These findings highlight the need for structured post-TB respiratory follow-up, including
spirometry screening and targeted interventions for high-risk survivors.