Impaired pulmonary function and associated factors in the elderly with tuberculosis on admission

Abstract

Background: Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) can impair pulmonary function (PF), especially in the elderly. However, little is known regarding which risk factors contribute to impaired PF among the elderly with pulmonary TB.Methods: From January 2019 to February 2022, the elderly who were admitted to our hospital for pulmonary TB and underwent PF testing were included in this analysis. The forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and clinical characteristics were collected and analyzed retrospectively. The extent of impaired PF was then categorized based on the FEV1 and classified as grade 1–5. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the risk factors for impaired PF.Results: A total of 249 patients who met the enrollment criteria were included in this analysis. According to the results of FEV1%, all patients were classified as grade 1 (n=37), grade 2 (n=46), grade 3 (n=55), grade 4 (n=56), or grade 5 (n=55). Statistical analysis showed that albumin (OR=0.928, P=0.013), body mass index (BMI)<18.5 kg/m2 (OR=4.968, P=0.046), lesion number≥3 (OR=4.229, P<0.001), male (OR=2.252, P=0.009), respiratory disease (OR=1.669, P=0.046), and cardiovascular disease (OR=2.489, P=0.027) were related to airway obstruction.Conclusions: A decline in PF is common in the elderly with pulmonary TB. The male sex, BMI<18.5 kg/m2, lesion number≥3, hypoproteinemia, and respiratory and cardiovascular comorbidities were identified as risk factors for a significant decline in PF. Our findings may be helpful to improve the current management of pulmonary TB in the elderly to save their lung function.