Serum calcium levels in p atient s wit h ac(iv e pnlmonary tuberculosis

Abstract

One hundred and two consecutively diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis patients were recruited and followed up to ascertain the occurrence of hypercalcaemia before and during treatment with the modified short course anti-tuberculosis therapy. Forty-five patients had hypocalcaemia at presentation four of whom had hypoalbuminaemia. All those with hypo calcaemia had moderate to extensive radiographic disease on enrolment with BMI of less than 20. On commencement of treatment with the modified short course therapy, two of those with extensive cavitary radiographic disease developed transient asymptomatic hypercalcaemia. Although the hypoalbuminaemia and the hypocalcaemia seem to be related to the extent of radiographic disease and the poor nutritional status of the patients at presentation, no specific cause for the transient hypercalcaemia was found.