Balance Control and Its Correlation with Functional Capacity in People with Post-Tuberculosis Lung Disease

Background: Because falls can lead to loss of autonomy in individuals with post-tuberculosis lung disease (iwPTLD), assessing fall risk is crucial for reducing the likelihood of fractures and preventing the decline of physical function. This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate balance control (BC) in iwPTLD and correlate it with functional capacity during exertion (FCE), pulmonary function, muscle strength, and fatigue. Methods: This cross-sectional study assessed BC in iwPTLD using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Tinetti Balance Scale (TBS), and the Timed “Up and Go” Test (TUGT). Participants also underwent assessments of pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, handgrip strength (HGS), quadricep strength (QMS), general fatigue, and functional capacity during exertion (FCE) using the six-minute step test (6MST). Results: Of the 50 individuals with iwPTLD, 66%, 38%, and 46% had a BBS, TBS, and TUGT, respectively, indicating a moderate/high risk of falls. The degree of agreement between BC classifications was weak to poor (Kappa between 0.15 and 0.35). The BBS and TBS exhibited weak-to-moderate correlations with the QMS and 6MST. The TUGT, however, showed strong correlations with the QMS, the 6MST, and residual volume/total lung capacity ratio. Conclusions: Impaired BC appears to be common in iwPTLD, with alterations observed in up to two-thirds of cases. For these individuals, there are significant correlations of BC with peripheral muscle strength, FCE, and static pulmonary hyperinflation, especially when the TUGT is used to assess BC. Thus, the TUGT may be a tool with potential clinical applications for identifying balance impairment in patients with PTLD. However, it requires prospective validation. The BBS and TBS should be reserved for comprehensive assessments of patients with abnormal TUGT results.