Energy dense nutritional supplements improve weight gain among malnourished adults with drug-sensitive pulmonary tuberculosis: An open-label randomized controlled trial in Faridabad, India.

EDNS significantly increased the proportion of participants achieving ≥5% weight gain at 2 months compared to standard dietary advice alone.

• 53.9% of the intervention group achieved ≥5% weight gain at 2 months versus 39.3% in the control group (P = 0.015)
• Adjusted odds ratio for ≥5% weight gain at 2 months was 2.02 (95% CI: 1.25–3.30) after adjusting for covariates
• 335 participants were randomized: 171 in the intervention arm and 164 in the control arm
• The trial was conducted in Faridabad, India from 2020 to 2023

EDNS significantly increased the proportion of participants achieving ≥10% weight gain at treatment completion (6 months).

• 55.8% of the intervention group achieved ≥10% weight gain at six months versus 41.0% in the control group (P = 0.023)
• Adjusted odds ratio for ≥10% weight gain at six months was 1.89 (95% CI: 1.13–3.18)
• Participants received two sachets of EDNS daily for up to six months
• Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the impact of EDNS

Acceptability and adherence to the EDNS intervention were high among study participants.

• The paper reports high acceptability and adherence in the intervention arm
• Gastrointestinal symptoms were more frequent in the intervention group but did not require treatment modification
• The intervention consisted of two sachets of EDNS daily for up to six months alongside standard dietary advice

The study targeted adults with mild to moderate undernutrition receiving treatment for drug-sensitive pulmonary TB.

• Eligible participants had microbiologically confirmed pulmonary TB and BMI between 14 and 18.5 kg/m²
• The trial was an open-label, two-arm randomized controlled trial
• The control arm received standard dietary advice alone while the intervention arm received EDNS plus standard dietary advice
• Undernutrition affects nearly half of persons with tuberculosis in India and is described as a major determinant of poor treatment outcomes

Undernutrition is prevalent among persons with tuberculosis in India and is associated with poor treatment outcomes.

• Undernutrition affects nearly half of persons with tuberculosis (PWTB) in India
• Undernutrition is described as 'a major determinant of poor treatment outcomes and impaired recovery'
• Randomized evidence on macronutrient supplementation in PWTB was characterized as limited prior to this trial