Oral Nutritional Supplementation and Weight Changes During Therapy in Malnourished Patients With Resistant Tuberculosis: A Clinical Trial

Tuberculosis increases energy demands and protein breakdown, leading to muscle wasting. Malnutrition and minimal weight gain less than 5% in first two months predict treatment failure. Malnutrition is defined as weight loss more than 5% in three months and Body Mass Index (BMI) ≤ 20 kg/m². This study assesses weight changes with high-energy, high-protein oral nutritional supplementation (ONS).

Tuberculosis (TB) is linked to poverty, malnutrition, and reduced immunity, with malnutrition both contributing to and resulting from TB.1-3 Active TB increases energy needs, causes protein breakdown, and leads to muscle wasting. Malnutrition, which is common in TB patients, worsens clinical outcomes and increases the risk of death.1 TB treatments can also cause nausea and vomiting, further contributing to malnutrition.4 Thus integrated management is essential for successful treatment. In India, 68.6% of MDR-TB patients without HIV infection are malnourished, a prevalence comparable to that observed among MDR-TB patients at Persahabatan General Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia (51.8%).5,6 Malnourished MDR TB patients have worse clinical outcomes, more side effects, and a higher risk of death.7 A BMI under 18.5 kg/m2 and inadequate weight gain during treatment indicate a poor response and increased risk of recurrence.1 Failure to gain weight (≤ 5%) in the first two months of treatment has been demonstrated to be linked to TB recurrence.8 Oral nutritional supplements have demonstrated the potential to improve nutritional status, muscle strength, and immunity, thus potentially facilitating an accelerated treatment process. Studies have also shown that nutritional supplements can improve BMI and gamma interferon levels.9 However, some studies have indicated that despite increased macronutrient intake, MDR TB patients may still experience a decline in body weight.10 This study aims to evaluate whether oral nutritional supplements providing 705 kcal and 30.5 grams of protein daily during the first two months can increase body weight and improve other clinical outcomes of MDR TB patients, including the impact of supplementation on albumin, globulin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels.