Nutritional Support Aids Tuberculosis Treatment Outcomes

January 27, 2025

Nutritional support for tuberculosis (TB) patients and their household contacts has emerged as important factor in improving treatment outcomes. Recent findings from the RATIONS trial conducted in Jharkhand between August 2019 and August 2022 highlight the impact of nutritional interventions. The trial involved 2,800 pulmonary TB patients and over 10,000 household contacts. It demonstrated that providing nutritional support reduced new pulmonary TB cases by 48% and decreased deaths among severely underweight individuals.

Key Findings from the RATIONS Trial

The RATIONS trial revealed that nutritional support not only benefited TB patients but also impacted their household contacts.
The data showed a marked reduction in new cases and mortality rates.
For those under 35 kg, the death rate was only 7%.
This indicates that nutritional interventions can enhance the overall health of both patients and their families.

Economic Modelling Study

A recent modelling study estimated the broader epidemiological and economic benefits of nutritional support.
At a coverage of 50%, providing nutritional care could avert over 361,000 deaths and 880,000 new TB cases by 2035.
The cost-effectiveness of this intervention was estimated at $167 per disability-adjusted life-year. These findings suggest that targeted nutritional support is a viable strategy for TB control.

Cost-Effectiveness and Targeting

The study emphasised that while a population-level intervention could yield larger effects, targeting high-risk household contacts maximises cost-effectiveness.
This approach is particularly relevant in resource-constrained settings like India.
By focusing on those most at risk, health interventions can be both effective and financially feasible.

Impact on Disease Progression

Nutritional support not only aids in recovery but also prevents disease progression.
Improved body mass index (BMI) among TB patients leads to better treatment outcomes.
This reduction in BMI-related reactivation of TB puts stress on the importance of nutritional interventions.
The study indicated that increased BMI in patients correlates with a decrease in new infections.

Policy Implications

The findings from this research have implications for policymakers.
They highlight the need for targeted nutritional support as part of TB intervention strategies.
Policymakers can use this data to advocate for more relevant and effective interventions for TB patients and their families, ultimately aiming to reduce the national burden of the disease.

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