: Biochemical abnormalities and Vitamin D levels in sputum positive pulmonary tuberculosis

Abstract

Background: Tuberculosis has been associated with various biochemical abnormalities including low hyponatremia, serum albumin, hypocalcaemia, low vitamin D levels.

Methods: 50 patients aged ≥ 18years of age with of sputum positive pulmonary tuberculosis were included in the study. Renal function, liver function, electrolytes and Vitamin D levels were measured at 0, 2 and 6 months of anti-tuberculosis treatment. The qualitative variables were analysed by chi-square tests. The quantitative variables were analysed by using paired t test. Five percent probability level was considered as statistically significant i.e., p<0.05.

Results: The mean age was 38.5 years with a male to female ratio of 1.08:1. Hyponatremia was present in 24% of the patients. The mean total serum protein value were 6.72±0.89,7.42±0.74 and 8.15±0.68 g/dl and serum albumin of 2.97±0.50, 3.37±0.39 and 3.75±0.37 g/dl  respectively at 0, 2 and 6 months. The mean serum calcium values observed were 8.2±0.63, 8.82±0.68 and 9.45±0.63 mg/dl at 0, 2 and 6 months respectively. The mean values for vitamin D at 0, 2 and 6 months were 9.14±6.94, 15.33±6.42 and 23.17±6.86 ng/ml respectively. 92% of the patients had low serum levels of vitamin D and 66% of the patients had serum vitamin D levels less than 10 ng/ml at presentation.

Conclusion: Various biochemical abnormalities including hyponatraemia, low serum albumin and protein levels and low serum calcium levels are seen in pulmonary tuberculosis. Vitamin D levels are significantly lower in patients with TB and there is a significant improvement in the vitamin D levels with treatment of TB.