Tuberculosis and its incidence, special nature, and relationship with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Tuberculosis (TB) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) carry a significant burden in terms of morbidity and mortality worldwide. This review article focuses on different aspects of Tuberculosis in terms of the relationship with COPD such as in the development of chronic airflow obstruction as a sequel to active TB and reviewing the key role of cigarette smoking in the pathogenesis of both conditions. Patients diagnosed with TB may often have extensive co-morbidity such as COPD and the effect of an underlying diagnosis of COPD on outcomes in TB is also reviewed.