Body Mass Index Trajectories Among Patients with Drug-Susceptible and Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis in Northwest Ethiopia.

Publication date: Jul 07, 2026

Understanding predictors of body mass index (BMI) trajectories in patients with drug-susceptible tuberculosis (DS-TB) and drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) is crucial for optimizing treatment strategies. This study examined BMI trajectories and predictors among patients with DS-TB and DR-TB in northwest Ethiopia. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using clinical data from patients attending TB clinics at four public hospitals in Northwest Ethiopia. We modelled BMI trajectories after TB treatment initiation using linear mixed models, with adjustments for potential confounders. A total of 988 patients were included in the analysis, comprising 569 with DS-TB and 419 with DR-TB. In the DS-TB cohort, male sex was associated with higher mean BMI (β = 0. 39; 95% CI: 0. 12-0. 65), while baseline underweight status (β = -4. 07; 95% CI: -4. 33, -3. 82) and baseline anaemia (β = -0. 27; 95% CI: -0. 53, -0. 02) were associated with lower mean BMI across follow-up. In the DR-TB cohort, men had a higher mean BMI than women across the follow-up (β = 0. 64; 95% CI: 0. 16, 1. 12). Although participants who were underweight at baseline (β = -3. 62; 95% CI -4. 06 to -3. 18) or anaemic (β = -0. 54; 95% CI: -0. 98, -0. 10) had a lower mean BMI across follow-up, they gained BMI more rapidly over time (time*underweight β = 0. 04, 95% CI: 0. 01, 0. 07; time*anaemia β = 0. 05, 95% CI: 0. 01, 0. 08). Early nutritional assessment and tailored nutritional support should be strengthened as part of routine TB care.

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