Macronutrient intake and body composition changes during anti-tuberculosis therapy in adults

Area of Science:

• Nutritional science
• Infectious diseases
• Metabolic research

Background:

• Malnutrition is prevalent in active tuberculosis (TB) patients.
• Limited data exists on serial dietary intake and body composition changes in TB disease.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate macronutrient intake and body composition changes over time in individuals with newly diagnosed TB.
• To compare these changes between TB patients and healthy controls.

Main Methods:

• Adults with active pulmonary TB (n=191) and controls (n=36) were studied.
• Macronutrient intake was assessed at baseline, 8, and 16 weeks.
• Body composition was measured using BMI and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA).

Main Results:

• TB patients had higher nutrient intake but lower body weight, BMI, fat-free mass, and fat mass compared to controls at baseline.
• Nutrient intake, body weight, BMI, and body composition increased over time in TB patients.
• Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) patients showed decreased body weight and fat-free mass despite similar caloric intake.

Conclusions:

• TB-induced wasting is evident despite increased macronutrient intake in TB patients.
• While BMI improved with increased intake, body composition proportions were maintained.
• MDR-TB blunts anabolic response to nutrient intake, indicating severe catabolic effects.