Journal
TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
Volume 115, Issue 6, Pages 634-643Publisher
OXFORD UNIV PRESS
DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/traa100
Keywords
diabetes mellitus; screening; tuberculosis
Funding
- TANDEM project - European Union [305279]
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This study conducted active TB screening among diabetes mellitus patients in Indonesia, Peru, Romania, and South Africa, and identified 14 TB cases. The data supports the recommendation for routine symptom-based TB screening in high TB-burden countries for known diabetes mellitus patients. Additionally, poor glucose control, smoking, lower body mass index, education, and socio-economic status were found to be associated with newly diagnosed/current TB.
Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) patients are three times more likely to develop tuberculosis (TB) than the general population. Active TB screening in people with DM is part of a bidirectional approach. The aim of this study was to conduct pragmatic active TB screening among DM patients in four countries to inform policy. Methods: DM patients were recruited in Indonesia (n=809), Peru (n=600), Romania (n=603) and South Africa (n=51). TB cases were diagnosed using an algorithm including clinical symptoms and chest X-ray. Presumptive TB patients were examined with sputum smear and culture. Results: A total of 171 (8.3%) individuals reported ever having had TB (South Africa, 26%; Indonesia, 12%; Peru, 7%; Romania, 4%), 15 of whom were already on TB treatment. Overall, 14 (0.73% [95% confidence interval 0.40 to 1.23]) TB cases were identified from screening. Poor glucose control, smoking, lower body mass index, education and socio-economic status were associated with newly diagnosed/current TB. Thirteen of the 14 TB cases diagnosed from this screening would have been found using a symptom-based approach. Conclusions: These data support the World Health Organization recommendation for routine symptom-based screening for TB in known DM patients in high TB-burden countries. DM patients with any symptoms consistent with TB should be investigated and diagnostic tools should be easily accessible.
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