This study was conducted to evaluate the change of nutritional status and to analyze related factors in hospitalized tuberculosis (TB) patients during their hospitalization. The subjects were 398 men patients (mean age: 47.3 +/- 14.4 y) who had hospitalized more than 3 months at TB hospital located in Seoul. The anthropometric and blood biochemical indices were measured, and dietary intakes were assessed. At the time of admission the body weight of subjects was about 76% of the average body weight of Korean men with same age, Body mass index (BMI) of subjects was 18.5 kg/m2, and 53.8% of subjects were under weight status. Average level of blood hemoglobin and hematocrit of subjects was lower than the normal value. After 3 months of hospitalization period, the body weight and body mass index were significantly increased compared to admission by 3.9 kg (7.41%) and 1.4 kg/m2 (7.61%)(p<0.001), respectively. Blood levels of hemoglobin, hematocrit, albumin, and total protein were also significantly increased after 3 months of hospitalization period compared to admission (p<0.001). The increment in the body weight and blood indices was significantly higher in below 29 years group than over 60 years group (p<0.05). The increment in the body weight and body mass index was significantly higher in the under-body weight group compared to the normal-body weight group (p<0.05). In conclusion the body weight and body mass index of subjects were significantly increased after 3 months of hospitalization period, and the age and body weight of subjects at admission were supposed to influence the degree of change in the nutritional status.
Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; Hematocrit ; Hemoglobins ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Male ; Nutritional Status ; Reference Values ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary