Pathophysiology, clinical manifestation, and treatment of tuberculosis-associated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a narrative review

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of respiratory morbidity and mortality, most often linked to smoking. However, growing evidence indicates that previous tuberculosis (TB) infection is also a critical risk factor for COPD. This review aimed at providing a comprehensive...

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Main Author: Joon Young Choi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Ewha Womans University College of Medicine 2025-04-01
Series:The Ewha Medical Journal
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Online Access:http://www.e-emj.org/upload/pdf/emj-2025-00059.pdf
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author Joon Young Choi
author_facet Joon Young Choi
author_sort Joon Young Choi
collection DOAJ
description Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of respiratory morbidity and mortality, most often linked to smoking. However, growing evidence indicates that previous tuberculosis (TB) infection is also a critical risk factor for COPD. This review aimed at providing a comprehensive perspective on TB-COPD, covering its epidemiologic significance, pathogenesis, clinical characteristics, and current management approaches. Tuberculosis-associated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (TB-COPD) is characterized by persistent inflammatory responses, altered immune pathways, and extensive structural lung damage—manifested as cavitation, fibrosis, and airway remodeling. Multiple epidemiologic studies have shown that individuals with a history of TB have a significantly higher likelihood of developing COPD and experiencing worse outcomes, such as increased breathlessness and frequent exacerbations. Key pathogenic mechanisms include elevated matrix metalloproteinase activity and excessive neutrophil-driven inflammation, which lead to alveolar destruction, fibrotic scarring, and the development of bronchiectasis. Treatment generally follows current COPD guidelines, advocating the use of long-acting bronchodilators and the selective application of inhaled corticosteroids. Studies have demonstrated that indacaterol significantly improves lung function and respiratory symptoms, while long-acting muscarinic antagonists have shown survival benefits.
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spelling doaj-art-b4d8167dd13f4b23b7980ab4e5e1864d2025-08-26T00:04:46ZengEwha Womans University College of MedicineThe Ewha Medical Journal2234-31802234-25912025-04-0148210.12771/emj.2025.000591605Pathophysiology, clinical manifestation, and treatment of tuberculosis-associated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a narrative reviewJoon Young Choi0Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Incheon St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, KoreaChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of respiratory morbidity and mortality, most often linked to smoking. However, growing evidence indicates that previous tuberculosis (TB) infection is also a critical risk factor for COPD. This review aimed at providing a comprehensive perspective on TB-COPD, covering its epidemiologic significance, pathogenesis, clinical characteristics, and current management approaches. Tuberculosis-associated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (TB-COPD) is characterized by persistent inflammatory responses, altered immune pathways, and extensive structural lung damage—manifested as cavitation, fibrosis, and airway remodeling. Multiple epidemiologic studies have shown that individuals with a history of TB have a significantly higher likelihood of developing COPD and experiencing worse outcomes, such as increased breathlessness and frequent exacerbations. Key pathogenic mechanisms include elevated matrix metalloproteinase activity and excessive neutrophil-driven inflammation, which lead to alveolar destruction, fibrotic scarring, and the development of bronchiectasis. Treatment generally follows current COPD guidelines, advocating the use of long-acting bronchodilators and the selective application of inhaled corticosteroids. Studies have demonstrated that indacaterol significantly improves lung function and respiratory symptoms, while long-acting muscarinic antagonists have shown survival benefits.http://www.e-emj.org/upload/pdf/emj-2025-00059.pdfbronchodilator agentschronic obstructive pulmonary diseasemuscarinic antagonistsmokingtuberculosis
spellingShingle Joon Young Choi
Pathophysiology, clinical manifestation, and treatment of tuberculosis-associated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a narrative review
The Ewha Medical Journal
bronchodilator agents
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
muscarinic antagonist
smoking
tuberculosis
title Pathophysiology, clinical manifestation, and treatment of tuberculosis-associated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a narrative review
title_full Pathophysiology, clinical manifestation, and treatment of tuberculosis-associated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a narrative review
title_fullStr Pathophysiology, clinical manifestation, and treatment of tuberculosis-associated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a narrative review
title_full_unstemmed Pathophysiology, clinical manifestation, and treatment of tuberculosis-associated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a narrative review
title_short Pathophysiology, clinical manifestation, and treatment of tuberculosis-associated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a narrative review
title_sort pathophysiology clinical manifestation and treatment of tuberculosis associated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease a narrative review
topic bronchodilator agents
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
muscarinic antagonist
smoking
tuberculosis
url http://www.e-emj.org/upload/pdf/emj-2025-00059.pdf
work_keys_str_mv AT joonyoungchoi pathophysiologyclinicalmanifestationandtreatmentoftuberculosisassociatedchronicobstructivepulmonarydiseaseanarrativereview