Impact of nutritional support on tuberculosis treatment outcomes

Impact of Nutritional Support for Tuberculosis on Intermediate and Terminal Undernutrition and Treatment Outcomes: the INSTITUT Study

Observational Boston Medical Center · NCT06084715

This study is testing if giving nutritional support to people with tuberculosis in Benin helps them recover better compared to those in Togo who don’t receive that support.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment1050 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorBoston Medical Center Academic / other
Locations2 sites (Porto-Novo and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT06084715 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to analyze the effects of nutritional support on treatment outcomes for patients with tuberculosis (TB) in Benin and Togo. It will involve a prospective cohort analysis of 1,050 participants, with 700 receiving nutritional support in Benin and 350 serving as a control group in Togo without such support. The study will track treatment outcomes, including treatment failure and relapse, over a 12-month period, utilizing sputum samples and chest X-rays to assess disease resolution and lung health. The findings are expected to inform TB treatment programs in both countries.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include drug-susceptible, smear-positive TB patients who can provide informed consent and attend follow-up visits.

Not a fit: Patients with drug-resistant TB or those too ill to enroll will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved treatment outcomes for tuberculosis patients through enhanced nutritional support.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have indicated the importance of nutritional support in TB treatment, suggesting that this approach may yield beneficial results.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Drug susceptible, Xpert \[polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for TB\] positive and/or sputum stain positive for AFB (≥1+)
* Willing to attend follow-up visits and undergo study procedures

Exclusion Criteria:

* Drug resistant TB
* Has received 7 or more days of antimicrobial therapy
* Based on study staff observation, the participant is too sick to enroll. Defined as a score of 4 on the World Health Organization (WHO) Performance assessment.
* Pregnancy at the time of enrollment
* Individuals who are unable to participate in the 6-minute walk test due to pre-existing mobility issues due to disability, trauma, neurological compromise, or cardiopulmonary issues

Where this trial is running

Porto-Novo and 1 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Tuberculosis, PulmonaryUndernutritionPersons with TBNutritional supportRepublic of BeninTogolese RepublicTreatment failureTB relapse
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.