Nutritional intakes and associated factors among tuberculosis patients: a community-based cross-sectional study in China

Abstract Background: This study evaluated nutrient intakes of tuberculosis (TB) patients and examine their associated factors. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 300 adult TB patients were enrolled in two impoverished counties in China. Nutrient intakes were evaluated through two consecutive 24-h dietary recalls and compared with the Chinese Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) 2013. Corresponding information for local general population was derived from 2015 China Health and Nutrition Survey. Results: The mean daily energy (1655.0 kcal in males, 1360.3 kcal in females) and protein (44.6 g in males, 35.9 g in females) intakes of TB patients were below Recommend Nutrient Intake (RNI) and Adequate Intake (AI) in both genders, and intakes of many micronutrients, except for vitamin E and sodium, were insufficient. Compared with those for local general population, TB patients’ intakes of all the macronutrients and micronutrients were lower (p<0.05) except total fat. In addition, Proportions of people with macronutrient or micronutrient intakes lower than RNI/AI were higher in TB patients than in general population except for Vitamin E intake. Being unemployed was a risk factor for low energy intake (p<0.05) and out-home-eating was a protective factor for low protein intake (p<0.01). Conclusions: In impoverished areas in China, intakes of macronutrients and most micronutrients in TB patients were less than those in general population. They were also inadequate compared with DRIs, especially in unemployed patients and patients eating at home. These findings suggested that the public health actions are needed to promote education on TB patients about significance of nutritional support, and, further interventions in TB patients’ nutritional intakes are also required.