Abstract
BackgroundTuberculosis (TB) is strongly influenced by nutritional status, with nutrition interventions being likely to have an impact on the prevalence of disease, response to drugs and quality of life.AimThe aim of this research study was to determine the nutritional profile of patients with TB and TB and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infection.SettingThe study was conducted at Standerton TB Specialised Hospital, Mpumalanga.MethodsA cross-sectional study was undertaken. A structured interview was conducted by the researcher with each patient. The Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) was used to determine the risk of malnutrition. Weight, height, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) and triceps skinfold were measured using standard techniques. Biochemical parameters that were part of the routine hospital procedure were noted.ResultsMore than two-thirds of the participants (68%) were found to be HIV positive. Food-related side effects included loss of appetite (59%) and dry mouth (48%). According to the MUST, 70% had a high risk of malnutrition. The median body mass index (BMI) was in the underweight category at 18.3 kg/m². About half of the participants had low MUAC measurements (51%) and triceps skinfold measurements below the 15th percentile (49.9%), indicating malnutrition. Most participants had low albumin and haemoglobin levels (79% and 92%, respectively).ConclusionsPatients with both TB and TB and HIV co-infection had a compromised nutritional status and an increased risk for developing malnutrition. Interventions aimed at addressing malnutrition could make a meaningful contribution to improving the quality of life in these patients.ContributionThis research provides evidence on the nutritional profile of patients with tuberculosis at Standerton TB Specialised Hospital, it gives opportunity to extend this research project to confirm these findings in other TB burdened areas.
Highlights
Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality rates, especially in middle- and low-income countries (WHO 2013), with a quarter of the population being infected with TB globally (WHO 2020)
Tuberculosis is strongly influenced by nutritional status (Kant, Gupta & Ahluwalia 2015), with nutrition interventions being likely to have an effect on the prevalence of active disease, response to drug therapy and quality of life (Cegielski, Arab & Cornoni-Huntley 2012)
Eating-related side effects and Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool A questionnaire was designed by the researcher to obtain information related to demographic factors and eatingrelated side effects that are often reported in the literature
Summary
Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality rates, especially in middle- and low-income countries (WHO 2013), with a quarter of the population being infected with TB globally (WHO 2020). Tuberculosis is strongly influenced by nutritional status (Kant, Gupta & Ahluwalia 2015), with nutrition interventions being likely to have an effect on the prevalence of active disease, response to drug therapy and quality of life (Cegielski, Arab & Cornoni-Huntley 2012). Adequate nutrition plays a critically important role in supporting the health and quality of life of people with TB and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (Kant et al 2015; Martin & Sabina 2019). Tuberculosis (TB) is strongly influenced by nutritional status, with nutrition interventions being likely to have an impact on the prevalence of disease, response to drugs and quality of life
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