Diabetes Mellitus as a Risk Factor for Tuberculosis: A Community Based Case Control Study

Background Prevention of diabetes in the general population can help reduce the incidence of tuberculosis. Hence it is necessary to document that diabetes is strongly associated with tuberculosis as a risk factor. Objective To study if diabetes is associated with tuberculosis compared to controls. Materials and methods A community based case-control study was carried out. 215 newly diagnosed cases of tuberculosis on treatment for not more than three months were selected randomly from the randomly selected tuberculosis unit. 215 neighbourhood controls were selected. They were matched for the age group of ± 10 years and sex. Fasting blood sugar (FBS) was estimated using a glucometer. Results Tobacco chewing, residence and family history of TB were significantly more in cases ( P P Conclusion Family history of tuberculosis, and tobacco chewing were positively associated with tuberculosis whereas body mass index was negatively associated with tuberculosis. Diabetes was significantly associated with tuberculosis.