Frequency of pulmonary tuberculosis in patients presenting with diabetes

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Tuberculosis kills 2 million people each year in the world while diabetic patients are prone to tuberculosis. In this study, our objectives were to determine the frequency of pulmonary tuberculosis in patients presenting with diabetes mellitus, and describe demographic features, socioeconomic status, and duration of diabetes in all diabetic patients.MATERIAL AND METHODS: This cross sectional study was conducted in Department of Medicine and Pulmonology PGMI/LRH, Peshawar. 100 consecutive patients of diabetes mellitus were enrolled. Data was collected by convenient (non-probability) sampling technique. All patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were further assessed through detailed history of diabetes mellitus, and pulmonary tuberculosis from patients or from their relatives. All patients underwent baseline investigations, including chest x-rays, fasting blood sugar, random blood sugar and sputum smear for AFB analysis.RESULTS: Out of total 100 patients 62% were males and 38% females. Their age ranged from 15 to 80 years. The duration of diabetes in all patients ranged from 2 to 15 years. Frequency of pulmonary tuberculosis among diabetic patients was 12%. All diabetic patients having pulmonary tuberculosis belonged to low socioeconomic class, and their duration of diabetes was 10 years and above. The duration of diabetes among patients having no history of pulmonary tuberculosis was less than 7 years.CONCLUSIONS: Frequency of pulmonary tuberculosis in diabetics was 12%. Patients with prolong history of diabetics and low socioeconomic status were more prone to have pulmonary tuberculosis than other socioeconomic groups.