Diabetes Mellitus among Adult Tuberculosis Patients Attending Tuberculosis Clinics in Eastern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background Developing countries are suffering from the previously existing infectious diseases and alarmingly growing burden of noncommunicable diseases like diabetes mellitus. There is increased speculation that diabetes mellitus might attribute to high infectious diseases burden, such as tuberculosis. The global importance of diabetes mellitus as a tuberculosis-risk factor is still not a well-established fact. Thus, we conducted this study to determine the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and its associated factors among adult tuberculosis patients attending tuberculosis clinics. Methodology We conducted a cross-sectional survey, from March 10 to April 15, 2017, among 421 tuberculosis patients receiving tuberculosis treatment in health facilities of Dire Dawa City Administration Council, Eastern Ethiopia. Study participants were selected using systematic random technique, and data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Fasting blood sugar and anthropometric measurements were carried out for all participants. A logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with diabetes mellitus. Result The prevalence of diabetes mellitus in this study was 13.5%. Age 26–40 (AOR = 6, 95% CI: (1.28, 27.5)), age ≥41(AOR = 9, 95% CI: (1.9, 44.4)), and family history of diabetes (AOR = 3.14, 95% CI: (1.23, 8.02)) were found to have a significant association with diabetes mellitus. Conclusion This study found that the magnitude of diabetes mellitus among tuberculosis patients was higher than the national estimated prevalence of diabetes mellitus in Ethiopia. This study suggests the need for screening each tuberculosis patient for diabetes.

Diabetes Mellitus and Its Associated Factors in Tuberculosis Patients in Maekel Region, Eritrea: Analytical Cross-Sectional Study

“… 20 , 25 , 39 On the other hand, a study conducted in Ethiopia found that not only old but young TB patients aged 26–40 had higher probabilities of being diabetic. 30 Nearly three fourth of the TB-DM cases in the current study were ≥45 years old but this age group account for only 46% of the study population. This can be explained by the fact that Type 2 DM mostly affects older adults and also increasing age is a risk factor for both TB and DM.…”

“…This is much higher than earlier finding from Ethiopia (6.4%) but lower than the reports from Tanzania (60%) and Kenya (69.5%). 20,30,31 Despite the fact that our study did not provide data on the types of DM among TB cases, most DM patients in Eritrea are suffering from type 2 DM. 32 Due to its gradual development, most patients with Type 2 DM experience minimal symptoms.…”

“…The impaired fasting blood glucose (pre-diabetes) identified in one-tenth of the TB cases supports previous study which found comparable 36 result but opposes studies which reported lower 37,38 and higher rates elsewhere. 30,31,[39][40][41] Studies indicate that temporary hyperglycaemia in TB cases could occur as a result of a stress reaction to TB infection and hyperglycaemic effect of some anti-TB drugs. 35,42,43 Furthermore, impaired glucose tolerance or new DM could result from TB pancreatitis and TB-related endocrine hypofunction.…”

“…This can be explained by the fact that Type 2 DM mostly affects older adults and also increasing age is a risk factor for both TB and DM. 30 In addition, a decline in immune function as a result of ageing [44][45][46] could have increased their vulnerability to develop both diseases.…”

TB-diabetes comorbidity and associated factors in Maekel Zone, Eritrea: A cross sectional study.

“…This is much higher than earlier nding from Ethiopia (6.4 %) but lower than the reports from Tanzania (60%) and Kenya (69.5%). 30,20,31 Despite the fact that our study did not provide data on the types of DM among TB cases, most DM patients in Eritrea are suffering from type 2 DM. 32 Due to its gradual development, most patient with Type 2 DM experience minimal symptoms.…”