Effect of Chocolate Soybean Drink on Nutritional Status, Gamma Interferon, Vitamin D, and Calcium in Newly Lung Tuberculosis Patients

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease associated with malnutrition and high risk to morbidity and mortality, especially when it was not supplied with a balanced diet. This study aimed to assess the effect of chocolate soybean drink (CSD) on nutritional status, gamma interferon (IFN-γ), Vitamin D, and calcium level in newly diagnosed pulmonary TB patients. AIM: This study aimed to assess the effect of chocolate soybean milk to nutritional status, interferon-gamma level, Vitamin D level, and sputum conversion in lung TB patients. METHODS: Quasi-experimental design pre- and post-test control was performed on 34 patients who were divided into two groups, each consisting of 17 people. The intervention group received 100 grams CSD per day and nutritional education, while the control group was only given nutritional education for 30 days. A 24-h food recall was performed to record any nutritional intake in the past 24 h. The nutritional status was determined by anthropometric measurements. Laboratory examination was performed to analyze the IFN-γ _level, Vitamin D, and calcium level. RESULTS: Study showed a significant increasing in body weight (p = 0.000), BMI (p = 0.000), IFN-γ _levels (p = 0.001), and not significant on MUAC (p = 0.716). Vitamin D was increased in the intervention group and decreased in the control group. Calcium intake was higher in the intervention compared to the control group (456.6 vs. 151.3) and significantly different (p = 0.000), while sputum BTA conversion was found higher in the intervention group than in the control group and not significantly different between groups (47.1% vs. 17.6%). CONCLUSION: It was concluded that CSD could increase nutritional status (BMI), IFN-γ, Vitamin D, and calcium level in patients with pulmonary TB.