Use of Anabolic steroids in malnourished pulmonary tuberculosis patients

Background: TB is an important public health problem that is preventable and curable, malnutrition appears to increase the risk of developing TB.however, cause & effect are difficult to establish.Objective:To study and compare the role of anabolic steroids on decreased BMI in TB patient and their sense of wellbeing vs in patients on ATT alone. Methods: This is a prospective study of 140 TB cases selected in jinnah hospital karachi. The treatment period was 8 weeks.2 groups were made;70 patients in each group, anabolic steroids were given with ATT to 1st group and ATT alone was given to the 2nd group. Pts on DOTS therapy were included both stable and a group had respiratory failure type ii needing noninvasive ventilation, while those who were labeled defaulters to ATT, treatment failure according to tuberculous guidelines were excluded. Results: There was a significant increase in BMI (from Conclusion: There was better sense of wellbeing at the end of 8 weeks in pts who were taking anabols along with ATT. Use of anabols in patients belonging to low socioeconomic society helps them to build up the body mass and recover.