Dietary Micronutrient Intake of Pulmonary TB patients in Tbilisi, Georgia

Abstract

AimTo obtain information on habitual dietary intake of selected micronutrients in TB patients in Tbilisi, Georgia.MethodDietary intake was obtained from patients at TB diagnosis using a tool that captures specific foods common in Georgian culture. Foods consumed during the previous 3 days were determined by one‐on‐one interviews. Food intake data was entered into the NDS‐R software program and mean daily micronutrient intake determined. Descriptive statistics and intake of micronutrients compared to the United States Dietary Reference Intake (US DRI) guidelines for adults and food group frequency were evaluated.ResultsA total of 199 subjects were studied (mean age 34 y; 64% male). No subject consumed specific micronutrient supplements. Mean daily intake of vitamin D 186±173(SD) IU/day (31% of US RDA); retinol (vitamin A) 686±600 mcg/day (84% of US RDA), vitamin E 19±9 IU/day (85% of US RDA); manganese 4.56±1.74 mg/day (217% of US AI); copper 2.28±1.01 mg/day (253% of US RDA), selenium 147±65 mcg/day (267% of US RDA) and zinc 12.2±5.3 mg/day (125% of US RDA). Dietary intake of both thiamine (vitamin B1) and riboflavin (vitamin B2) was adequate at 2.4±0.9 mg/day (209% of US RDA) and 2.6±1.0 (216% of US RDA), respectively.ConclusionsDietary intake data from these Georgian TB patients revealed adequate intake of the B vitamins thiamine and riboflavin, and specific trace elements linked to human immune function (copper, selenium, and zinc). In contrast, dietary intake of several vitamins linked to immune function (vitamin D, retinol and vitamin E) was inadequate.Grant Funding Source: NIH D43 TW007124, D43 TW007124‐06S, K24 RR023356, UL1 RR025008, Emory Global Health Institute