Abstract: Objective To investigate the risk factors of mortality for inpatients with active pulmonary tuberculosis complicated with respiratory failure. MethodPatients with active pulmonary tuberculosis complicated with respiratory failure hospitalized between 2000 and 2006 were enrolled and analyzed retrospectively on the risk factor of mortality. Results184 patients were included and 88 patients died. The mean survival time of patients who died was 50.8 days(ranged 1 to 177 days),with 50% of the patients died within the first 30 days after admission. There were many significant differences in MDR-TB rate, multiple organ dysfunction failure (MODF),hospital acquired pneumonia(HAP), and APACHE II between the death and survival groups. The independent factors of mortality were: multiple relapse, advanced and military TB, HAP, prolonged mechanical ventilation,and MODF. ConclusionsThe mortality rate of the patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis complicated with respiratory failure was very high, and some factors affected its prognosis.

Key words: pulmonary tuberculosis/complications, respiratory insufficiency, death, risk factors