ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to evaluate the levels of serum lipids in tuberculosis (TB) subjects on anti-tuberculosis therapy. A total of 60 subjects were recruited for this study. 20 subjects were cases tuberculosis patients not on therapy, 20 were tuberculosis subjects on anti-TB therapy for at least three months, and another 20 were apparently healthy subjects used as the control. Plasma samples obtained from subjects were analyzed by enzymatic colorimetric methods and values obtained were compared statistically using statistical analysis software (SPSS version 20 for windows).  Result obtained showed that the values of total cholesterol level amongst tuberculosis subjects not on therapy (150.5+ 17.42) when compared to the control subjects of apparently healthy individuals (175.1+ 26.76) had a high statistically significant decrease. The triglyceride levels of subjects not on therapy (100.7+ 32.64) when compared with the control subjects (114.7 + 54.57) showed that there is a statistically significant decrease. The low density lipoprotein levels of subjects not on therapy (94.33+ 10.03) showed a statistically significantly decrease as with the control (103.5+ 12.39). The high density lipoprotein levels of subjects not on therapy (47.27+ 4.068) as to the values of control subjects (48.60 + 5.863), showed a statistically significant decrease. The total cholesterol level of tuberculosis subjects on therapy (171.3+ 23.86) as to the control subjects (175.1+ 26.76), showed a statistically significant decrease. The triglyceride levels of subjects on therapy (106.1+ 31.17) showed statistically significant decrease when compared with the control (114.7 + 54.57). The low density lipoprotein levels of subjects on therapy (100.7+ 7.324) showed no statistically significant decrease when compared with the control subjects (103.5+ 12.39). The high density lipoprotein values for the control subjects (48.60 + 5.863) when compared to the levels of subjects on therapy (51.93+ 3.982), showed no statistically significant decrease. The values of total cholesterol level amongst subjects not on therapy (150.5+ 17.42) as to total cholesterol level of subjects on therapy (171.3+ 23.86), showed a statistically significant decrease. The triglyceride levels of subjects not on anti-tuberculosis therapy (100.7+ 32.64) when compared with the triglyceride levels of subjects on anti-tuberculosis therapy (106.1+ 31.17) showed no statistically significant decrease. There was a recorded statistically non significant decrease in the low density lipoprotein levels of subjects not on therapy (94.33+10.03) when compared to the low density lipoprotein levels of subjects on therapy (100.7+ 7.324). The high density lipoprotein levels of tuberculosis subjects not on therapy (47.27+ 4.068) when compared to the levels of subjects on therapy (48.60+ 5.863), showed no statistically significant decrease. The results obtained showed there was a marked presence of hypolipidaemia amongst tuberculosis subjects especially those not on therapy also the study showed therapy affected the lipid profile levels. The findings of the study could be used to assess the severity of the disease and progress of treatment.