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Article type :

Original Article

Author :

Veena Kiran Nambiar, Gayathri Devi HJ, Rachana Nayak, Neil W Schluger, Keerthana M, Nirantha SP

Volume :

10

Issue :

3

Abstract :

Background: Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) dysfunction leads to fatigue, dyspnea, and poor quality of life (QOL), altering metabolism and muscle mass. This study aims to explore any association between nutritional status at the time of diagnosis and respiratory musclestrength after treatment in patients with PTB.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study compared respiratory muscle strength in terms of maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) among 52 subjects (26 cases and 26 controls) and serum albuminvalues as key outcome measuresof newly diagnosed PTB and withouta history of PTB.Results: The MIP Median in the PTB group was 50 cm H2O compared to the controls 79 cm H2O. MEP Median in the PTB group was 57 cm H2O compared to controls at 70 cm H2O. There was a significant difference in MIP and MEP between PTB and controls at p < 0.05. A strong positive correlation (Pearsons) was seen between the serum albumin level and the MIP with a co-efficient of p < 0.05 and a moderate positive correlation with MEP.Interpretation: There was an association between serum albumin level and respiratory muscle strength in PTB. A significant decrease in respiratory muscle strength was observed in individuals with PTB as compared to age-matched controls.