Predictors of change in nutritional and hemoglobin status among adults treated for tuberculosis in Tanzania

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Patients with tuberculosis (TB) often suffer from profound malnutrition.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the patterns and predictors of change in nutritional and hemoglobin status during and after TB treatment.

METHODS

A total of 471 HIV-positive and 416 HIV-negative adults with pulmonary TB were prospectively followed in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. All patients received 8 months TB treatment following enrollment.

RESULTS

About 40% of HIV-positive and 47% of HIV-negative TB patients had BMI <18.5 kg/m2 at baseline. About 94% of HIV-positive and 84% of HIV-negative participants were anemic at baseline. Both HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients experienced increases in BMI and hemoglobin concentrations over the course of TB treatment. Among HIV-positive patients, older age, low CD4 cell counts, and high viral load were independently associated with a smaller increase in BMI from baseline to 8 months. Female sex, older age, low CD4 cell counts, previous TB infection, and less money spent on food were independently associated with a smaller improvement in hemoglobin among HIV-positive patients during treatment.

CONCLUSION

HIV- positive TB patients, especially those with low CD4 cell counts, showed poor nutritional recovery during TB treatment. Adequate nutritional support should be considered during TB treatment.