Association of body mass index, hand grip strength and quality of life with response to anti-tubercular therapy in adult patients of pulmonary and extra-pulmonary tuberculosis

Background: Monitoring of anti-tubercular therapy (ATT) response necessary for successful completion of ATT regimen. Presently available monitoring tools are invasive and have limitations. This study undertaken to see whether non-invasive tools like body mass index (BMI), hand grip strength (HGS) and quality of life (QOL) can serve as a reliable tool for monitoring ATT response.Methods: The 50 patients of tuberculosis were monitored for BMI, HGS and QOL via WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire and analyzed at baseline, 2 months and 6 months of starting ATT.Results: BMI HGS increased significantly at 2 months and 6 months compared to baseline with ATT. Physical and social domain of WHOQOL-BREF increased at 2 and 6 months with ATT, other domains shown no significant changes.Conclusions: Monitoring of BMI, handgrip strength and QOL can be a cost-effective tool for monitoring ATT response, both in pulmonary and extra pulmonary tuberculosis.