RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Respiratory Health and Wellbeing Post Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Many people treated for tuberculosis (TB) in other countries often have ongoing lung problems and don't feel as well as they did before. In the UK, we don't currently have a system to check on people after their TB treatment to see if they experience similar long-term issues. This study aims to find out if individuals treated for TB in Liverpool still have problems with their lungs and overall health about a year later. We'll ask them questions about their well-being and test their breathing. This information will help us understand the full impact of TB and push for better follow-up care and support for people in the UK, so they can get the help they need.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine

Enrolment target

Start

01 Sep 2025

Estimated completion

30 Sep 2026

Tuberculosis (TB)

What is this study about?

When people get treated for tuberculosis (TB), especially in other parts of the world, about 20% to 50% often find that their lungs don't quite get back to normal, and they might not feel as well as they did before. This can mean they struggle with daily activities, and sometimes even need more treatment, like inhalers, or special exercises. There are now international guidelines that suggest checking up on people after they've finished TB treatment to make sure they're doing okay, but in the UK, we don't currently follow these.

Here in the UK, about 4,000 people are diagnosed with TB every year. We don't really know if they also experience these lasting problems with their lungs or general health once their treatment is over. Without this information, it's hard to argue for better follow-up care. Doctors who see these patients often suspect that many do have long-term issues even after they're officially 'cured,' but there isn't a clear system or funding to check in on them. Based on what we know from other countries, it's possible that up to 2,000 people in the UK each year could have lung problems from previous TB that aren't being found or treated.

This study wants to understand if people who were treated for TB at the Liverpool TB service still have long-term lung problems. We will invite them to come back for a review about a year after they finished their treatment. This will help us gather important information to see how widespread these problems might be. Our goal is to use this information to eventually design a larger study across the whole UK. If we find that many people do have lasting health issues from TB, we can then work towards finding better ways to treat these problems and ensure people get the continued support and care they need after TB treatment to live their lives as fully as possible.

Key takeaways

TB treatment often leaves lasting health problems for some people.
The UK doesn't routinely follow up with patients after TB treatment.
This study aims to understand the long-term impact of TB in the UK.
Participation involves a check-up, breathing test, and answering questions.
Findings could improve future care and support for TB survivors.
Your involvement helps advocate for better healthcare policies.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for adults aged 18 or over who have had a clear diagnosis of lung TB that was confirmed by lab tests. You must be able to understand and provide written permission to join the study. Also, you should have finished your TB treatment within the last 18 months.

We might not be able to include you if you already have a serious, ongoing lung disease that isn't well controlled, such as severe COPD or asthma that needs a lot of medicine. If blowing into a breathing test machine (spirometry) would be unsafe for you for any reason, or if you are under 18 years old right now, you won’t be able to take part. Finally, if we don't have a complete record of your TB treatment, you might not be eligible.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Did you complete treatment for lung TB (confirmed by tests) within the last 18 months?
Can you understand information about the study and give written permission to take part?
Do you NOT have a severe, ongoing lung condition that isn't well controlled, like bad asthma or COPD?
Are you able to do a breathing test safely?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, you'll be invited for a review at the hospital or clinic about a year after you finished your TB treatment. During this visit, we will ask you a series of questions about your health and how you're feeling overall. You will also be asked to blow into a special machine called a spirometer, which measures how well your lungs are working – it's similar to the test used to diagnose asthma. If you have a cough, we might ask you to provide a sample of your phlegm (sputum). We will also ask if you are willing to give a small blood sample; this blood would be stored and used for future research to help us understand more about how TB affects the body. Some participants may also be invited to have a recorded chat with us to share their thoughts and experiences about their TB treatment and what kind of follow-up care they think would be helpful. The total time commitment for the study is primarily this single follow-up visit and any additional voluntary interviews.

Potential risks and benefits

By taking part, you'll be helping us understand the lasting effects of TB in the UK, which could lead to better care for future patients. There are no direct medical benefits to you from participating in this specific study, as it's observational. The breathing tests are generally safe but might make you feel a little short of breath or dizzy for a moment. Providing blood or sputum samples carries very small risks, like a slight bruise from a blood test. You are free to change your mind and stop participating at any time without giving a reason, and this will not affect any medical care you receive.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
Verified postcode
Liverpool, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

Why is this study important for people with TB?

This study will help us understand if patients in the UK have lasting health problems after TB treatment. This information could lead to better follow-up care and support.

What is a 'spirometer'?

A spirometer is a machine you blow into to measure your lung function. It's safe and commonly used, similar to tests for asthma.

Will I get any treatment if I join the study?

This study is to gather information, not to provide new treatment. However, your results will help us advocate for better future treatments and care pathways.

Can I choose not to give a blood sample?

Yes, giving a blood sample is completely optional. Your decision will not affect your ability to participate in other parts of the study.

What happens to the information collected?

The information will be used to understand the problem of post-TB health issues in the UK and help design bigger studies to improve patient care.

How to find out more

Rebecca Nightingale, PhD

rebecca.nightingale@lstmed.ac.uk 07702812183 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.