Variation in body weight and hemoglobin level in patients with tuberculosis treated at a public health center
Mauricio Carrion F.G.; Salinas Geronimo A.B.; Palomino Quispe L.P.; Mosquera Figueroa Z.R.; Antón Huiman J.C. · Nutricion Clinica y Dietetica Hospitalaria (2025) · DOI: 10.12873/454mauricio
Resumen
Introduction: Tuberculosis is a major public health problem in Peru, with nutritional repercussions that influence clinical outcomes. Weight loss and decreased hemoglobin are factors that can affect treatment response. Objective: To evaluate the relationship between percentage changes in body weight and hemoglobin levels in patients with tuberculosis treated at the Max Arias Schreiber Health Center, La Victoria, in 2025. Methodology: Non-experimental, cross-sectional, correlational research. The medical records of 60 adult patients with a confirmed diagnosis of tuberculosis, treated between January 2022 and December 2024, with at least three months of treatment and complete data for analysis, were reviewed. Hemoglobin was obtained from the medical records, and weight changes were calculated using the formula: [(final weight − initial weight) / initial weight × 100]. Data normality was verified, and the Pearson correlation test was applied. Results: Women showed an average weight change of −1.0 ± 4.8% (range: −10.58% to 10%), while men showed a weight gain of 0.71 ± 5.84% (range: −17.80% to 10.4%). Initially, 53.3% had normal hemoglobin, 25.0% had mild anemia, and 21.7% had moderate anemia; no cases of severe anemia were identified. A weak positive correlation was found between weight change and hemoglobin levels (OR = 0.269; p = 0.038). Conclusion: Body weight change is directly related to hemoglobin levels. Greater weight gain during treatment is associated with higher hemoglobin levels in patients with tuberculosis, highlighting the importance of nutritional monitoring in this population.
Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos; Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola; Universidad César Vallejo