Evaluation of Body Mass Index as a Marker for Monitoring of Intensive Phase Therapy and Vitamin D Supplementation in Pulmonary TB

Background: In 2022, the success rate of tuberculosis (TB) treatment in Indonesia was 86.50%, which was below the 90.00% target. The decline in nutritional status among TB patients can result from anorexia, leading to inadequate nutrition. In TB patients, the intensive phase of treatment carries a risk of 3,021 times greater for developing malnutrition. It is associated with delayed healing, increasing the risk of death and TB recurrence. This study aimed to observe changes in body mass index (BMI) in TB patients as a marker for measuring the success of the treatment. Methods: This analytical experimental study used a one-group pre-test and post-test design, applying a purposive sampling method. The study sample included all patients diagnosed with TB who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria, with a minimum sample size of 15. Results: As many as 15 new patients were diagnosed with pulmonary TB. Height and weight measurements were taken to determine their BMI. Most respondents had a BMI below normal before therapy, with 6 people (40.00%) classified as thin. After receiving anti-TB drugs and vitamin D therapy for 2 months of intensive treatment, this number decreased to 2 people (13.30%). Results from the paired t-test showed a p-value of < 0.001, indicating a statistically significant difference in nutritional status before and after two months of anti-TB drug and vitamin D therapy. Conclusion: Changes in BMI were observed in pulmonary TB patients after receiving the anti-TB drug therapy and vitamin D for two months during the intensive phase.