Effects of Nutritional Therapy on the Nutritional Status of Tuberculosis Patients with a Body Mass Index Less Than 18.5 kg/m², Sisatchanalai Hospital, Sukhothai Province

Abstract

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health problem. One important risk factor for TB incidence and severity is undernutrition. TB patients with undernutrition often experience delayed recovery. Appropriate nutritional therapy can improve nutritional status and clinical outcomes, support treatment, and reduce the risk of complications.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of nutritional therapy among TB patients with a body mass index (BMI) below 18.5 kg/m².

Methods: A one-group pretest–posttest quasi-experimental design was used. The sample comprised 38 TB patients receiving treatment at Srisatchanalai Hospital, Sukhothai Province, who met inclusion criteria and received continuous nutritional therapy for 12 weeks. Research instruments included the Nutritional Assessment Form (NAF), a Refeeding Syndrome risk assessment, and measurements of BMI, body weight, and serum albumin. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired t-tests, and Chi-square tests.

Results: After nutritional therapy, BMI and body weight increased significantly (p < .001). The proportion of participants with serum albumin within the normal range increased from 26.32% to 52.63%. Mean NAF scores decreased significantly (p = .002). The risk of Refeeding Syndrome decreased significantly (χ² = 22.52, p < 0.001); the combined high and very high risk category declined from 71.05% to 28.94%.

Conclusion: Appropriate nutritional therapy effectively restores nutritional status, reduces the risk of complications, and promotes health in underweight TB patients. These findings support the integration of nutritional care into patient management and the development of community-level nutrition policies.