Diabetes and Tuberculosis: Tackling the Duo, Translating Research to Management and Policy

Abstract

When combined with other poor treatment results from tuberculosis, diabetes mellitus (DM) triples the likelihood of developing in TB patients and doubles their risk of dying during treatment.

Additionally, DM may put a person at risk for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). While there has been a lot of attention paid to this combo of diseases, the majority of the works focused on screening TB patients for undiagnosed diabetes or following upon TB treatment outcomes in DM subjects through observation.

Targeted immunization campaigns, LTBI screening, preventative treatment for those with pre- diabetes and diabetes, and enhanced diabetes management with newer anti-hyperglycaemic medications and early insulin introduction are all important and effective ways to stop the spread of tuberculosis.