Background: Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and anemia are both prevalent in Red Sea State. There is limited and inconsistent literature on the association between anemia and pulmonary tuberculosis in the studied area. Aim: This study aimed at assessing the anemia among patients with pulmonary tuberculosis living in Port Sudan city, Red Sea state, Sudan. Method: A prospective study was conducted from June 2006 to December 2008 at Port Sudan Tuberculosis Diagnostic Center. Hundred newly discovered Ziehl Neelsen stain positive randomly selected along with fifty apparently healthy adult also randomly selected were enrolled. Hemoglobin concentration (Hb), serum iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC) and transferrin saturation were measured. Results: Anemia was observed in 44(44%) of pulmonary tuberculosis patients of which 15 (34%) of cases were anemia of chronic disease, 12 (27%) of cases were iron deficiency, 7 (16%) of cases were iron deficiency anemia, 2 (5%) of cases were macrocytic anemia and 8 (18%) of cases were normocytic normochromic anemia. Conclusion: Anemia of chronic disease is the most condition associated with pulmonary TB, iron deficiency with or without anemia may contribute to advancing the disease.
