The significant increase in mortality after tuberculosis (TB) progression to severe disease is a major obstacle to achieving the goal of ending the TB epidemic by 2035. Up to now, there is no clear definition and diagnostic criteria for adult severe tuberculosis at home or abroad, which has a significant adverse impact on the early diagnosis and timely treatment of patients with severe tuberculosis. In order to improve the treatment level of patients with severe pulmonary tuberculosis, reduce mortality and improve prognosis. The Professional Committee of Tuberculosis Science of the Chinese Society of Research Hospitals and Shenzhen Third People's Hospital/National Clinical Medical Research Center of Infectious Diseases/Shenzhen Tuberculosis Clinical Medical Research Center led the formulation of "Guidelines for definition and diagnosis of severe pulmonary tuberculosis in adults in China (2023)", aiming to guide and standardize the definition and diagnosis of severe tuberculosis. So as to improve the level of diagnosis and treatment of severe pulmonary tuberculosis in our country, to maximize the benefit of patients.