CLINICAL AND RADIOLOGICAL MANIFESTATIONS OF PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS AMONG DIABETES MELLITUS PATIENTS

Background: This study was done to determine the concomitant burden of diabetes and tuberculosis among persons receiving TB care in our hospital. Methods: The patients who are known diabetics or who are diagnosed to have type 2 diabetes mellitus at the time of presentation are taken as cases. Patients without diabetes are considered as controls. Results: Upper zone involvement is most commonly seen in the study and control groups. Lower zone involvement was more pronounced in diabetics than non-diabetics. However, the status of glycemic control has no influence on lower zone involvement. Conclusion : There are no significant differences in the presentation of the disease between diabetics and non-diabetics. But the extent of the disease is more among diabetics with tuberculosis in comparison to their non-diabetic counterparts. The bacillary load in diabetics is also more in comparison to non-diabetic tuberculosis cases.