Hyperglycaemia in newly diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis patients: a cross-sectional study of the Agona District Hospital

Background: Diabetes mellitus is an important risk factor associated with tuberculosis (TB). This study investigated the prevalence and determinants of hyperglycemia among newly diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis patients in the Agona Swedru Municipality. Method: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2015 to April 2016. One hundred (100) newly diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis patients at the Agona Swedru Municipal Hospital (ASMH) were enrolled for the study. Socio-demographic, clinical and anthropometric measurements were collected and fasting blood glucose (FBG) measured using standard protocols. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 20.0. Result: Of the 100 participants, 26% had hyperglycemia. The significant factors associated with increased risk of hyperglycemia among participants were history of diabetes mellitus (OR = 8.17, p= 0.004), severity of infection (OR = 23.64, p < 0.001) and duration of symptoms (OR= 2.63, p= 0.042). Conclusion: Hyperglycemia was common among newly diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis patients. History of diabetes mellitus, severity of infection, and duration of symptoms were the determinants of hyperglycemia in pulmonary tuberculosis. Regular screening of hyperglycemia is essential in the management of tuberculosis. Finally, further studies should be conducted on glucose levels among pulmonary tuberculosis patients using higher sample size to increase the understanding of the subject.