Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
Tuberculosis is one of the first most common causes of death in the world alongside HIV/AIDS, causing considerable mortality globally. Tuberculosis is also accompanied by hematological alterations although the alteration related to the disease is not well determined yet and showed variation in different studies. This study aimed at evaluating hematological profiles in pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Metema hospital and Gondar referral Hospital, North West Ethiopia. A case-control study design was conducted from January to July 2018. A total of 88 blood samples (44 from cases and 44 from control groups) were collected. The collected blood samples were tested using a Hematology analyzer (Sysmex) for hematological profiles. The mean+standard deviation of hemoglobin, hematocrit, and red blood cell count of the cases were significantly lower than the control groups (P< 0.05). However, platelet and total white blood cell counts; and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were significantly increased as compared with control groups (p<0.05). Body mass index had significant positive associations with red blood cell count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit (P < 0.05). Pulmonary Tuberculosis patients in this study showed hematological profile abnormalities; where the red blood cell count, hematocrit and hemoglobin were significantly reduced. However, the total white blood cell count, thrombocyte, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate of tuberculosis patients were significantly elevated than control groups. The factors associated with hematological profile alterations require a due attention to prevent further complications and further studies should be conducted.
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