Abstract

STUDY OF THYROID PROFILE IN PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS

Shubhangi M. Dalvi*, Nagsen N. Ramraje, Vinayak W. Patil, Neelam Yeram and Priti Meshram

ABSTRACT

Background: Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is defined as a disease caused by Mtb strain resistant to anti-tuberculosis drugs used in chemotherapy. Treatment of MDR-TB is challenging as the long duration of treatment and multiple drug usage. Many studies have shown that MDR exhibit adverse effects on thyroid functions. Methods and Materials: The Case – Control study comprised of 50 normal healthy human volunteers (Control), 50 newly diagnosed TB patients (Category I) and 50 TB patients treated with dots showing multidrug-resistance (MDR). Recruited subjects were of both genders in age group of 18- 60 years and from different socioeconomic status. Subjects not willing to participate in the study and HIV positive were excluded. Blood serum samples were analysed for Thyroid profile (T3, T4, TSH, FT3 and FT4) by using chemiluminescence. Statistical evaluation was done by using Minitab 17 software. The other variables were statistically analysed with Pearson correlation. Results: The serum levels of TSH were significantly increased in TB patients as compared to healthy controls. Conversely, the levels of T3, FT3 and FT4 decreased significantly in TB groups in comparison to control group. In case of T4 serum levels, the Cat I group showed a reliable increase, whereas it decreased significantly in MDR group. Conclusion: Tuberculosis independently affects the thyroid function. The presence of thyroid dysfunction in the patients indicates the need to assess thyroid function in MDR-TB patients before commencing therapy and during follow-up.

Keywords: Thyroid Profile, Pulmonary Tuberculosis, Multi-drug resistance.