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SUMMARY OBJECTIVES: In tuberculosis treatment, corticosteroids are used as adjuvants, especially in meningeal/pericardial tuberculosis. In other forms of the disease, especially in severe tuberculosis requiring mechanical ventilation, its use is controversial. The aim of the present study is to assess whether the use of corticosteroids in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis patients in mechanical ventilation is associated with in-hospital mortality. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study. Tuberculosis patients >18 years requiring mechanical ventilation, admitted to the emergency department or intensive care unit, were included. Data on corticosteroid use and mortality were collected. RESULTS: In total, 467 patients were included in the analysis; 399 used corticosteroids and 68 were noncorticosteroid users. The mortality rate was higher among corticosteroid users (59.9%) than in noncorticosteroid users (41.2%) (p=0.010). The total dose of corticosteroid in prednisone equivalents was not different between survivors and nonsurvivors (median [interquartile range]: 80 mg [5–56.6 mg] vs. 80 mg [50–135 mg]; p=0.881). CONCLUSIONS: Tuberculosis patients in mechanical ventilation who used corticosteroids had a higher mortality rate than those who did not use corticosteroids. The role of corticosteroids in pulmonary tuberculosis, especially in critically ill patients, remains unclear and needs further evaluation in prospective studies.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: More than 20% of tuberculosis (TB) cases worldwide are attributable to smoking, and it is associated with an increased risk of latent and active TB, recurrence, and mortality. The aim of this study is to assess the smoking prevalence and the effects on treatment outcomes in TB patients. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted in patients with a recent TB diagnosis. The smoking status was defined, in addition to the patients’ knowledge and attitudes toward smoking. The patients were followed up until the end of the treatment, and the treatment result was recorded. RESULTS: Ninety-two patients were included in this study. The prevalence of active smoking was 31.5%. Active smokers had less chance for cure (62.1% versus 82.5%; p=0.032) and more treatment dropout (31.0% versus 12.7%; p=0.035) than non-active smokers. Patients demonstrated positive attitudes and good knowledge about smoking. CONCLUSIONS: Active smokers had less chance for cure and more abandonment than non-active smokers. These results can be useful for the proper planning of actions that impact TB control, especially in the treatment results, such as cognitive-behavioral approaches to smoking cessation.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a relação entre dados clínicos e de avaliação funcional pulmonar pré-operatória e ocorrência de complicações pulmonares pós-operatórias (CPPO). MÉTODOS: Foi realizado um estudo de coorte retrospectivo com pacientes submetidos à avaliação funcional pulmonar pré-operatória durante um período de cinco anos. Foram coletados dados clínicos, demográficos, espirométricos, cirurgias realizadas e CPPO. RESULTADOS: Foram avaliados os prontuários de 521 pacientes. A média de idade dos pacientes foi de 59,5 ± 14 anos, 65,8% eram do sexo masculino e 93,4% eram da raça branca. A média do VEF1 foi de 76,6 ± 24,6% do previsto. Comorbidades clínicas estavam presentes em 73,5% dos pacientes (DPOC em 29,8%). Os locais mais frequentes de cirurgia foram o tórax (n=122; 23,4%) e o abdômen superior (n=117; 22,5%). CPPO ocorreram em 99 pacientes (19%), sendo insuficiência respiratória a mais comum (4,6%). Quarenta e três pacientes (8,3%) foram a óbito. As taxas de CPPO foram maiores após cirurgia torácica (28,9%), cardíaca (28%) e abdominal superior (24,3%) (p 3,5 horas (p0,05). CONCLUSÃO: Os fatores mais importantes associados com CPPO foram o local da cirurgia, o tempo de anestesia e a classificação ASA pré-operatória.OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between clinical and preoperative pulmonary functional evaluation and occurrence of postoperative pulmonary complications. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study with patients submitted to pulmonary functional evaluation over a period of 5 years. We collected clinical, demographic and spirometric data, also those related to surgical procedures and postoperative pulmonary complications. RESULTS: Medical records of 521 patients were evaluated. Mean age was 59.5 ± 14 years, 65.8% were male, and 93.4% were white. The mean FEV1, was 76.6 ± 24.6% of the predicted. Clinical comorbidities were present in 73.5% of all patients (COPD in 29.8%). The most common surgical sites were thorax (n=122; 23.4%) and upper abdomen (n=117; 22.5%). Postoperative pulmonary complications occurred in 99 patients (19.0%), with respiratory insufficiency as the most common (4.6%). Forty three patients (8.3%) died. The rates of pulmonary complications were higher after thoracic (28.9%), cardiac (28%) and upper abdomen surgery (24.3%) (p 3.5 hours (p0.05). CONCLUSION: The most important factors associated with postoperative pulmonary complications were surgical site, time of anesthesia, and ASA classification.