Conclusions
TB patients had higher sRAGE levels than controls, although it is not clear that this difference is clinically relevant. Also, sRAGE was associated with weight loss and mortality.
Methods
Case-control study, from June 2017 to June 2018. AGE (carboxymethyl lysine, CML) and sRAGE were measured from blood samples by Elisa. Nutritional assessment was performed by body mass index, triceps skin-fold thickness, mid-arm circumference, mid-arm muscle circumference, bioelectrical impedance analysis, and food frequency questionnaire.
Results
We included in the study 35 tuberculosis (TB) patients and 35 controls. The mean sRAGE levels were higher in TB patients than in controls (68.5 ± 28.1 vs 57.5 ± 24.0 pg/mL; p = 0.046). Among cases that were current smokers, lower sRAGE levels were associated with mortality, evaluated at the end of hospitalization (p = 0.006), and with weight loss (p = 0.034). There was no statistically significant difference in CML levels and diet CML content between cases and controls. Malnutrition was more frequent in cases, but there was no correlation between nutritional parameters and CML or sRAGE levels. Conclusions: TB patients had higher sRAGE levels than controls, although it is not clear that this difference is clinically relevant. Also, sRAGE was associated with weight loss and mortality.