The Prevalence of Polyneuropathy Among Patients with Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis and Concomitant Diabetes Mellitus. The Modifying Effect of Comorbidity on Tuberculosis Treatment Quality

<bold>Background:</bold> The coexistence of the:tuberculosis(TB) and diabetes mellitus(DM) epidemic, however, complicates the clinical course of both conditions, which negatively impact the quality of life for patient. <bold>Purpose of the study:</bold> to analyze the impact of comorbidity on the development of polyneuropathy(PN) and correcting the latter to improve ptn’ quality of life. <bold>Materials and Methods:</bold> The study analyzed 36 case histories of ptn with TB and concomitant DM.PN manifestations and the effectiveness of TB treatment. <bold>Results of the study:</bold> ptn’ age was 51±9.2 years, with 52.8% being females and 47.2%-males. In all cases, DM was verified, with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) diagnosed based on GeneXpert and BACTEC testing. The level of glycated hemoglobin was 7.8%, with blood sugar - from 4.1 to 13.4 mmol/L. The BPaLM regimen was initiated in 83.3% of cases, while treatment initiation was delayed in 16.7% of cases due to grade 2PN. Among ptn who initiated TB treatment promptly 36.7% required insulin therapy for glucose correction, which resulted in a successful cure. In 63.3% of cases, varying degrees of PN symptoms developed leading to the prolongation of TB therapy, transfer to 18-month regimen in 4 cases. In the group of delayed initiation of TB treatment, BPaLM regimen was administered only in two cases, contingent upon the continuation of insulin therapy and 18-month treatment regimen was applied in four cases. <bold>Conclusions:</bold> Timely diagnosis and prevention of PN in DM ptn positively influence treatment effectiveness of TB, improving the quality of life.