Tuberculosis—A Cause of Emphysema1,2

Abstract

Of 386 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis who had pulmonary function tests performed, 50.8% had diffuse obstructive ventilatory impairment, which is characteristic of the ventilatory impairment of pulmonary emphysema. The presence of this defect and its severity correlated well with the stage and duration of tuberculosis. It is believed that tuberculosis of advanced degree and long duration is a cause of pulmonary emphysema; however, emphysema does not predispose to tuberculosis.