The prognostic value of a reduced maximum breathing capacity in tuberculosis.

INTRODUCTION ADZCREASED MAXIMUM B R E A T H I N G capacity suggests a poor prognosis in patients with chronic pulmonary disease.' .4 reduction in maximum breathing capacity occurs either when the amount of functioning lung tissue is diminished as in fib& or other nstrictive lung diseases, or when diffuse pulmonary obstruction limits the velocity with which air can bc moved as in chronic bronchitis and unphysmna. Both fib& and bronchial obstruction arc reported to occur in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.'" The purpose of this study is: (1 ) to ascertain the fate of patients with tuberculosis who had severely reduced breathing capacity (less than 40 per cent of the predicted value), and (2 ) to determine in these patients the inadence and the usual cause of reduction of maximum breathing capacity of this magnitude.