Impact of type 2 diabetes on manifestations of pulmonary tuberculosis and its treatment outcome

Abstract

Objectives: The main objective of the study was to learn about associations between diabetes and TB along with clinical characteristics and outcomes.

Methods: This was a retrospective observational trial. Between patients with TB who had diabetes and patients with TB who did not have diabetes clinical and radiographic characteristics with outcome were compared. Good outcome was defined as cure and treatment complete where as poor outcome as treatment failure, default or death.

Results: TB patients who were diabetic remains associated with higher sputum mycobacterial load and chest radiograph abnormalities. More symptoms were observed among diabetic TB patients on presentation. Between patients with and without diabetes the risk of poor outcome differ after 2 months of anti-TB treatment (RR: 1.1; 95% CI: 0.4–2.6).

Conclusion: On the outcome of TB treatment uncontrolled diabetes seems to have a negative effect. Each TB patients should routinely screened for diabetes and good diabetes control can improve the management of tuberculosis.