Hematological Changes in Pulmonary Tuberculosis: Focus on Anemia, Disease Severity, and Therapeutic Implications

Background Anemia is a common complication in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), potentially affecting treatment outcomes and overall health. This study aimed to evaluate the hematological changes associated with pulmonary TB, focusing on the severity of anemia and its correlation with disease severity. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted at Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Ranchi, involving 76 patients diagnosed with pulmonary TB and a matched control group of 76 healthy individuals. Hematological parameters, including hemoglobin levels, hematocrit, and anemia classification, were assessed at admission and during follow-up at two and six months. Correlations between anemia severity and TB severity were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results The mean age of participants in the pulmonary TB group was 36.2 ± 15.6 years. A significant prevalence of anemia was observed in the pulmonary TB group, affecting 67 out of 76 participants (88%), compared to 12 out of 76 participants (15.8%) in the control group, with a p-value of <0.0001. Normocytic anemia was the most common type, affecting 45 out of 76 TB patients (60%). Hemoglobin levels were significantly lower in the TB group (10.10 ± 1.73 g/dL) compared to controls (13.07 ± 1.14 g/dL), with a p-value of <0.0001. Correlation analysis showed a strong negative correlation between hemoglobin levels and TB severity (r = -0.58, p < 0.0001) and duration of symptoms (r = -0.49, p < 0.0001). Conclusion Anemia is prevalent among patients with pulmonary TB and is significantly associated with disease severity and duration of symptoms. These findings underscore the importance of regular hematological monitoring and management of anemia in TB patients to improve clinical outcomes.