A study of tuberculosis, malnutrition and gender in Sri Lanka

This study assesses the nutritional status of tuberculosis (TB) patients in Sri Lanka and differences in the nutritional presentation between males and females. In May-June 2002, cases from Colombo hospitals and controls from both the Sri Lankan Air Force Base and audience members at a 'better health' presentation in Colombo were assessed for nutritional status using a modified Standard Global Assessment. Fifty cases and 49 controls were recruited. Nutritional examinations revealed the cases to have significantly lower nutritional values than the controls (body mass index 16.2 vs. 24.0 kg/m(2); arm circumference 20.7 vs. 28.4 cm; muscle wasting [temple 56% vs. 0%; shoulder 46% vs. 0%]). The nutritional history revealed the cases to have higher levels of anorexia, vomiting, nausea and diarrhoea within the preceding fortnight. Differences between the genders were minimal other than an increase of 23 and 19% in the frequency of female cases having suffered with vomiting and nausea respectively. Consequently, both male and female TB patients in Sri Lanka are significantly malnourished. It is recommended that patients receive nutritional support during their treatment, with studies of the exact nutritional deficiencies at the micronutrient level and their effect on the immune system being required.