Initial airflow obstruction in new cases of pulmonary tuberculosis: Complication, comorbidity or missed?

Tuberculosis (TB) may have a similar spirometry findings as a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease but the prevalence of TB-induced airflow obstruction (AO) is still unknown. OBJECTIVES: To measure frequency of AO in new TB cases at the beginning of treatment and to evaluate factors associated with obstructive abnormalities following TB diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 317 patients that have no history of prior AO were recruited into the study with a median age of 39.0 years (IQR, 30.0-49.0). AO was defined using the FEV1/F(VC)