Analysis of Dietary and Nutritional Status of Tuberculosis Patients in Hulunbuir Region

Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health problem that affects millions of people worldwide. Malnutrition is a common complication of TB and can worsen the disease outcome. The purpose of this study was to investigate the dietary and nutritional status, as well as the dietary structure, of TB patients in Hulunbuir City, Inner Mongolia, China. Additionally, the study aimed to analyze the factors that influence the nutritional status in order to provide a theoretical foundation for the prevention and treatment of TB and related issues.

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 334 randomly selected TB patients from Hulunbuir City Second Hospital. A questionnaire survey was administered to collect information on demographic characteristics, dietary habits, and food intake. Nutritional status was assessed by body mass index (BMI). Dietary diversity score (DDS) was calculated based on the number of food groups consumed in the previous 24 hours. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 20.0 software. Descriptive statistics employed rates and composition ratios, and categorical data was represented using frequencies and percentages. The chi-square test was used to analyze the association between nutritional status and other variables, with a significance level set at α=0.05. Multivariable ordinal logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the independent factors affecting the nutritional status of TB patients.

The univariate analysis revealed statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) in the nutritional status (as measured by BMI) among tuberculosis patients, considering ethnicity, educational level, smoking, meat-based diet, vegetable consumption, and DDS grading. No statistically significant differences were found regarding gender, age, marital status, occupation, sleep duration, alcohol consumption, and consumption of rice and flour dishes. Statistically significant variables from the univariate analysis were included in a multivariable ordinal logistic regression analysis model. The findings highlighted that educational level (high school or below), smoking, meat-based diet, DDS scores of 1-3, and a primarily vegetable-based diet had independent effects on the nutritional status of tuberculosis patients (all P < 0.05). No significant difference was found in nutritional status between the Han ethnic group and other ethnicities.

The study revealed that the dietary and nutritional status of TB patients in Hulunbuir City was suboptimal and influenced by several factors. Smoking, meat-based diet, and low dietary diversity score were the primary risk factors for malnutrition among TB patients. The study suggests that nutritional education and intervention programs should be implemented for TB patients to improve their dietary quality and nutritional status.