Clinico-Investigative Profile of Type 2- Diabetes Mellitus in Tuberculosis At A Tertiary Care Centre: An Observational Study

Diabetes mellitus as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) is a metabolic disorder of multiple etiology characterized by chronic hyperglycemia with disturbances in carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism as a result of relative or absolute lack of insulin resulting in long-term damage to various organs/systems.1 The consequences of DM alone can be quite devastating with organ failures, acute and chronic complications, and compromised quality of life.

Tuberculosis is a chronic infection (caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis) that can affect several organs in the human body, but with a much higher predilection for the lungs.  Tuberculosis is defined as infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.2

Diabetes mellitus in combination with TB, can result in significant physical, social, psychological, and economic imbalance.

Infections complicating diabetes mellitus (DM) are frequent occurrences in the setting of suboptimal diabetes control which appears to be quite common in developing countries of Asia and

Africa.3,4

The contribution of tuberculosis (TB) to the diabetes epidemic has recently made a comeback to the front burner of the problems of diabetes and infections. To further compound issues, timely recognition of TB in the setting of DM, doctor/physician inertia to appropriately evaluate the DM patient for TB, and knowledge gaps in the treatment of these two chronic health problems continue to impoverish the already overstretched lean health resources of most developing economies.

Glycemic control helps reduce the morbidity and mortality and have better clinical and social outcomes in patients of  DM with TB