Prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus Among Newly Detected Sputum Positive Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients and Associated Risk Factors

Background and Objectives: Tuberculosis (TB) and Diabetes Mellitus (DM) co-morbidity are of rising public health problems. There is growing evidence that DM is an important risk factor for TB. This study was carried out to know the prevalence of DM among newly detected sputum-positive pulmonary TB patients registered in the District Tuberculosis Centre and also to assess the risk factors of DM among TB patients. Methods: In a cross-sectional study newly detected sputum-positive pulmonary TB patients were screened for DM (those having symptoms of DM). Further, they were diagnosed by doing random blood glucose levels (≥200 mg/dl.). Mean, standard deviation (SD), Chi-square and Freeman-Halton Fisher exact test were used to know the significant association. p value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 215 TB patients were included in the study. The prevalence of DM among TB patients was found to be 23.7% (2.8% known and 97.8% new cases). Significant associations were found between age (>46 years), educational status, smoking habits, alcohol consumption, physical activity, presence of symptoms of DM and family H/o DM. Interpretation and Conclusion:Routine screening for DM is mandatory because of the increasing prevalence which may help in early diagnosis and also reduce the complication by proper management which in turn helps in the successful outcome of TB treatment.