Frequency of Latent Tuberculosis among Diabetics and Non-Diabetics

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of latent tuberculosis among diabetics and non-diabetics.
Study Design:Adescriptive cross sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: At Unit II, Department of Medicine, Benazir Bhutto Hospital, Rawalpindi from
October 1, 2009 to March 30, 2010.
Materials and Methods:Across sectional study was carried out inMUII, BBH Rawalpindi. All patients, male and
female , both diabetic and non diabetic, above the age of 18 years, presenting in Out-Patient department for
regular check up or follow up were included in the study. Mantoux test was carried out in all patients to find out the
frequency of latent tuberculosis in diabetics and non diabetics.
Results: A total of 286 patients were initially inducted in the study. However by the end of study, 20 patients
dropped out as they lost follow up. So 256 patients were finally included in the study. Amongst them 131 were
diabetics i.e., 51.2% and 125 were non diabetics i.e., 48.8%. One hundred and seventeen were male i.e., 45.7%
and 139 were female i.e., 54.3 %. Mantoux test was carried out in all patients both diabetic and non diabetic. Out
of 256 patients Mantoux test was positive in 33 patients i.e., 14.8%.Among diabetics Mantoux test was positive in
27 patients i.e., 10.5%. While among non diabetics Mantoux test was positive in 11 patients i.e., 4.3 %, with a p
value of .008.This shows that latent tuberculosis is more common in diabetics than non diabetics.
Conclusion: Latent tuberculosis is more common in diabetics than non diabetics. Treatment of latent TB in
diabetics may have a beneficial impact onTB control.