Skeletal Deconditioning and HIV status in South African Tuberculosis Patients Public
Bhattacharya, Anushua (Spring 2025)
Abstract
Background: Chronic diseases often lead to skeletal deconditioning with a loss of muscle mass which impairs mobility and quality of life. Our understanding of skeletal deconditioning in people with tuberculosis (TB) disease remains limited. This study explores the association between HIV coinfection and grip strength, a marker of skeletal deconditioning and frailty, in patients with TB.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we enrolled participants with and without HIV who were newly diagnosed with pulmonary TB in Johannesburg, South Africa. Data were collected through questionnaires and clinical assessments; grip strength was measured with a dynamometer. An independent sample t-test was used to compare grip strength by HIV status. Multiple linear regression models examined the association between HIV status and grip strength.
Results: Among 186 participants with pulmonary TB (median age 37, IQR 30-46), 25% were women and 36% had HIV coinfection. The mean right-hand grip strength was 32.24 kg (SD 9.19) and left-hand grip strength was 30.73 kg (SD 9.04). Participants with HIV exhibited significantly lower grip strength in both hands compared to participants without HIV, with p-values of 0.03 and 0.01 in the right and left hands, respectively. In an unadjusted model, participants with HIV had significantly lower grip strength in both hands (left: β = -3.72, p = 0.0097; right: β = -3.24, p = 0.027). In a model adjusted for age, sex, and BMI, the association between HIV status and grip strength was significant in both hands (left: β = -2.74, p = 0.02; right: β = -2.44, p = 0.05). In a third model adjusted for CXR severity in addition to age, sex, and BMI, grip strength was associated with HIV status in the left hand (β = -2.74, p = 0.03) but not for the right hand.
Conclusion: We found that among people with active pulmonary TB disease, those with HIV coinfection have lower grip strength than those without HIV, suggesting HIV may impact skeletal deconditioning. This difference persisted after adjusting for age, sex, and BMI, but weakened with further adjustment for extent of radiographic disease, suggesting that factors related to TB severity influences muscle strength.
Table of Contents
Abstract
Introduction
Methods
Results
Discussion
Conclusion
Tables and Figures
About this Master's Thesis
| School | |
|---|---|
| Department | |
| Subfield / Discipline | |
| Degree | |
| Submission | |
| Language |
|
| Research Field | |
| Mot-clé | |
| Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor |
Primary PDF
| Thumbnail | Title | Date Uploaded | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Skeletal Deconditioning and HIV status in South African Tuberculosis Patients () | 2025-04-17 12:16:08 -0400 |
|
Supplemental Files
| Thumbnail | Title | Date Uploaded | Actions |
|---|