Critical analysis of spirometry interpretation in tuberculosis-related lung function impairment: a commentary on a Chinese study.

We commend Zhao et al. for their insightful paper titled "Analysis of clinical characteristics of different types of lung function impairment in TDL patients," which compares the severity of lung function patterns, including restrictive and obstructive ventilatory patterns, with the clinical characteristics of tuberculosis-destroyed lung patients. This study is significant for healthcare providers managing long-term tuberculosis cases, especially with the rise of multidrug-resistant strains. By analyzing spirometry data, the study offers valuable insights into the correlation between lung function patterns and tuberculosis-destroyed lung, laying a foundation for future research aimed at developing targeted therapies. However, the study's definitions for normal spirometry patterns, restrictive and obstructive ventilatory patterns, as well as the severity grading of lung function patterns, diverge from established guidelines by the American Thoracic Society and European Respiratory Society. These discrepancies, particularly the use of post-bronchodilator values and the exclusion of recognized patterns like 'isolated low forced expiratory volume in one second' and 'dysanapsis,' necessitate further discussion. Adopting standardized spirometry interpretations, as recommended by international guidelines, will enhance the study's conclusions and contribute to improved clinical practice and patient care.