PD117
LEVEL OF MALNUTRITION AND SARCOPENIA AMONG PATIENTS WITH BACTERIOLOGICALLY DIAGNOSED PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS AT SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES MEDICAL CENTER: SINGLE CENTER STUDY
T. A. Mariwa1,*, J. G. V. Advincula1, P. G. Sanchez-Calamba1
1Internal Medicine, Southern Philippines Medical Center, Davao City, Philippines
Rationale: Malnutrition is highly prevalent among patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) and is associated with adverse clinical outcomes such as increased mortality. While studies exist in nearby countries, data on malnutrition and sarcopenia among TB patients in the Philippines are limited; hence, this study aimed to assess the level of malnutrition and sarcopenia in adult patients with bacteriologically confirmed pulmonary TB at Southern Philippines Medical Center.
Methods: This study utilized single-center cross-sectional study and enrolled 84 adult patients with bacteriologically confirmed PTB. Nutritional risk was assessed using the modified Subjective Global Assessment (m-SGA). Sarcopenia risk was screened using the Yubi-Wakka (finger-ring) test. Handgrip strength (HGS) was measured using a calibrated dynamometer. Descriptive statistics were applied, with categorical variables presented as frequencies and percentages, and continuous variables analyzed based on their distribution. For m-SGA scoring, Grades B and C were combined to represent all degrees of malnutrition.
Results: Seventy-five percent (75.0%) of patients were classified as at risk for malnutrition (m-SGA B/C), while 47.7% screened positive for sarcopenia risk using the Yubi-Wakka test. Mean handgrip strength was significantly lower among malnourished patients compared with well-nourished patients (23.8 ± 8.9 kg vs 32.9 ± 11.6 kg, p < 0.001).
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Conclusion: A high proportion of adults with pulmonary tuberculosis are at risk for malnutrition and sarcopenia despite frequently normal BMI. Handgrip strength is a strong functional marker associated with nutritional risk. Incorporating simple tools such as m-SGA, handgrip strength, and the Yubi-Wakka test into routine TB care may improve early identification of nutritionally vulnerable patients in resource-limited settings.
Disclosure of Interest: None declared