A study on nutritional status and change in body mass index with treatment outcome in smear-positive pulmonary TB patients on DOTS in Amritsar city

burden of poverty and undernutrition among both adults and children.[2] TB has been called “phthisis” owing to profound wasting. In a book published in 1949, which reviewed the epidemiological risk factors for TB at a global level, Dr. JB McDougall of the WHO stated: “The nutrition of the individual using the term in its widest sense, is the most vital factor in the prevention of tuberculous disease.”[3] Malnutrition can predispose pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). Conversely, PTB can result in malnutrition. Undernutrition selectively compromises cell-mediated immunity, which is the principal defense against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and, thereby, increases the risk of reactivation of latent infection to disease.[4] Moreover, poor nutritional status is associated with risk of TB relapse and mortality.[5] Background: The association between tuberculosis (TB) and malnutrition has been recognized for a long time. A body mass index (BMI) below 18.5 increases the risk of TB by 2–3 times. Conversely, an increase in body weight lowers the risk.