Tuberculosis survivors, particularly those living in India, are at a greater risk of developing lasting damage to lungs, according to a study done on over 2,000 Indian patients. The findings of the study are published in the journal Lancet Global Health.
The study has found that more than one-third of patients who are successfully cured of TB with antibiotics developed permanent lung damage, which, in the worst cases, results in large holes in the lungs called cavities and widens the airways called bronchiectasis.
Diet in Tuberculosis
Patients with tuberculosis should eat a healthy diet so that they build up their immunity to fight against tuberculosis.
Advertisement
‘Antibiotics and physiotherapy exercises are inexpensive treatments which are proven to improve quality of life and decrease lung infections.
’
Read More..
Tweet it Now
Read More..
According to the World Health Organisation's Global TB Report 2018, an estimated 2.8 million people have contracted TB in India, which represents one-quarter of all TB cases worldwide.
"This study calls urgent attention to the problem of post-TB lung damage worldwide. TB is a curable condition with antibiotics, and great steps forward have been made towards eliminating the disease," said study lead author James Chalmers, Professor at the University of Dundee.
![Skin Tuberculosis]( "Skin Tuberculosis")
Skin tuberculosis is a rare form of tuberculosis that occurs outside the lung. Infection is exogenous through contact or internally from another infectious site.
"But this study is a wakeup call because even if we manage to eliminate all TB worldwide tomorrow, we are going to be left with a legacy of chronic lung damage and bronchiectasis which will require better recognition and better treatment," he said.
For the study, the research team recruited 2,195 patients with established bronchiectasis from 14 Indian states.
TB survivors and patients with a history of severe infections such as childhood pneumonia made up the majority of patients with lung damage in India. The researchers found that these infections left a legacy of daily cough, further chest infections, and poor quality of life.
Patients required further hospitalizations for treatment of their lung conditions in nearly 40 percent of cases. Patients with post-TB lung damage had lost approximately 40 percent of their lung capacity, leaving many patients with persistent breathlessness.
Compared with patients in Europe and the US, those in India had more severe lung damage, lung function was worse, and patients were more likely to be hospitalized for severe infections.
Recommended treatment for these patients such as inhalers, physiotherapy, and antibiotic treatment for infections was rarely provided.
Physiotherapy exercises and antibiotics are inexpensive treatments which are proven to improve quality of life and reduce lung infections but were available to less than 50 percent of Indian patients.
The Indian government has pledged to eradicate TB by 2025. However, this study warns that the TB epidemic could have lasting consequences for the treatment of lung conditions.
Source: IANS
Skin Tuberculosis
Skin tuberculosis is a rare form of tuberculosis that occurs outside the lung. Infection is exogenous through contact or internally from another infectious site.
Advertisement
"But this study is a wakeup call because even if we manage to eliminate all TB worldwide tomorrow, we are going to be left with a legacy of chronic lung damage and bronchiectasis which will require better recognition and better treatment," he said.
For the study, the research team recruited 2,195 patients with established bronchiectasis from 14 Indian states.
TB survivors and patients with a history of severe infections such as childhood pneumonia made up the majority of patients with lung damage in India. The researchers found that these infections left a legacy of daily cough, further chest infections, and poor quality of life.
Patients required further hospitalizations for treatment of their lung conditions in nearly 40 percent of cases. Patients with post-TB lung damage had lost approximately 40 percent of their lung capacity, leaving many patients with persistent breathlessness.
Compared with patients in Europe and the US, those in India had more severe lung damage, lung function was worse, and patients were more likely to be hospitalized for severe infections.
Recommended treatment for these patients such as inhalers, physiotherapy, and antibiotic treatment for infections was rarely provided.
Physiotherapy exercises and antibiotics are inexpensive treatments which are proven to improve quality of life and reduce lung infections but were available to less than 50 percent of Indian patients.
The Indian government has pledged to eradicate TB by 2025. However, this study warns that the TB epidemic could have lasting consequences for the treatment of lung conditions.
Source: IANS
Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis
Drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) is a globally serious infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It occurs as multidrug-resistant or MDR TB or in its more severe form, extensively drug-resistant or XDR TB.
Advertisement
 Screening Tests for TuberculosisTuberculin skin test and Interferon - Release Assays are tests used to screen for tuberculosis. | Advertisement
|
Advertisement
Recommended Reading
Latest Respiratory Disease News
A new artificial intelligence-enabled chest imaging technology performs a deep characterization of the pulmonary vasculature to detect pulmonary (arterial) hypertension.
The global climate crisis is stimulating heat waves to become more frequent causing distress to people with asthma, say experts.
A new study reveals vitamin D3 supplements have encouraging effects for asthma patients. Vitamin D has a positive effect on immune response.
Hospitalization and mortality rates are on the higher side in First Nations communities than comparable populations.
To end TB by 2030, we need to decrease tuberculosis risk factors and reduce NCDs, among other vital steps to strengthen health systems.