Study of nutritional status of TB patients

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) is a human disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Present research was perspective observational study on 30 patients of Tuberculosis at Mahatma Gandhi hospital, Jaipur. It was found from the collected data that disease (tuberculosis) was seen mostly in people of elder age (50-70 year) but is also found in younger adults. More cases were seen in men than in women. In this study it was found that most of the patients had similar types of clinical signs and symptoms like weakness, underweight, headache, fatigue, vomiting and shortness of breath. Majority of the patients (63.33%) showed normal nutritional status. Only 13% patients were at risk of malnutrition and only 10% patients were found malnourished. Overweight TB patients were also seen 10% due to their excess calorie intake and heredity as well. Therefore there is a need to give importance to nutritional status as this is an important factor in planning proper medical as well as dietary regimen for a better recovery and better quality of life.