Malnutrition prevalence and associated biochemical factors among drug-resistance tuberculosis (DR-TB) patients at key treatment sites in Conakry City, Republic of Guinea

Abstract

Introduction: drug-resistant tuberculosis is a major global health problem and a threat to health security given the increase in the number of cases and the challenges associated with care. Besides, the relationship between poor nutritional status and tuberculosis is clearly established. For relevant and evidence-based public health decision-making regarding the management of malnutrition in patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis in the initial phase, it is essential to estimate the prevalence of malnutrition and understand the risk factors associated with it. Methods: we performed a retrospective cohort study in drug-resistant tuberculosis patients aged 18 years and older, among which the nutritional status was assessed through BMI. All predictors were included in a prediction model using the multivariate logistic model according to the lowest Akaike criterion. Discrimination and model calibration was evaluated using receiver performance analysis, and the Hosmer and Lemeshow test. Results: this study revealed a prevalence of malnutrition of 64.7% in drug-resistant tuberculosis patients in our 218-patient series. The factors associated with malnutrition were: unsuccessful treatment, the active presence of mycobacterium tuberculosis, increased bacteriological conversion time, increased serum creatinine, increased transaminase SGPT of the liver, and anaemia. Some of the factors not associated with malnutrition included the history of anti-tuberculosis treatment, vomiting, hepatic SGPT, initial AFB count, smear and culture conversion time, depression, and chest x-ray. Conclusion: malnutrition remains a concern among drug-resistant tuberculosis patients in Guinea as it affects more than half of them with a negative impact on the outcome of treatment. Implementing specific interventions for these high-risk patients, including nutritional supplementation, psychosocial support, and treatment for tuberculosis, can improve management for better treatment outcomes.