Muhammadiyah Medical Journal
Vol. 7 No. 1 (2026): Muhammadiyah Medical Journal (MMJ)

Clinical Symptoms, Hemoglobin Levels, and Chest Radiography in Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients

Nur Alam Syafar (Faculty of Medicine, University of Muslim Indonesia, Makassar, Indonesia)
Rasfayanah Rasfayanah (Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Muslim Indonesia, Makassar, Indonesia)
Rahmawati Rahmawati (Department of Radiology, Ibnu Sina YW- UMI Hospital, University of Muslim Indonesia, Makassar, Indonesia)
Shofiyah Latief (Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Muslim Indonesia, Makassar, Indonesia)
Indah Lestari Daeng Kanang (Department of Internal Medicine, Ibnu Sina YW- UMI Hospital, University of Muslim Indonesia, Makassar, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
23 Jun 2026

Abstract

Background: Pulmonary tuberculosis remains a major global health problem with high morbidity and mortality. Clinical symptoms, haemoglobin levels, and chest radiograph findings are important indicators of disease severity and physiological impact, making their relationship relevant for early assessment and clinical management. Purpose: This study aimed to analyse the relationship between clinical symptoms, haemoglobin levels, and chest radiograph findings among patients with pulmonary tuberculosis at Ibnu Sina YW-UMI Hospital Makassar in 2023–2024. Methods: This cross-sectional analytic observational study used total sampling and included 100 pulmonary tuberculosis patients who met the inclusion criteria. Clinical symptoms, haemoglobin levels, and chest radiographs were collected from medical records. Univariate and Chi-square bivariate analyses were performed, with p < 0.05 considered significant. Results: Most patients had decreased haemoglobin levels (81%) and far advanced radiographic lesions (81%). Common clinical symptoms were productive cough (86%), shortness of breath (75%), fever (77%), decreased appetite (59%), and weight loss (69%). Only shortness of breath (p = 0.000) and decreased appetite (p = 0.029) were significantly associated with haemoglobin levels. In contrast, all clinical symptoms showed significant associations with chest radiographic severity. Conclusion: Shortness of breath and decreased appetite were significantly associated with decreased haemoglobin levels in pulmonary tuberculosis patients, while other symptoms showed no significant association. All clinical symptoms were significantly associated with chest radiographic severity. Most patients also had anemia and far advanced radiographic lesions, indicating advanced disease.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

MMJ

Publisher

Subject

Biochemistry, Genetics & Molecular Biology Immunology & microbiology Medicine & Pharmacology Nursing Public Health

Description

Muhammadiyah Medical Journal (MMJ) Faculty of Medicine and Health is an international journal based on scientific research. The journal is published 2 (two) times in 1 year, March and September. Muhammadiyah Medical Journal Faculty of Medicine and Health invites the lecturers, practitioners and ...