Prevalence and predictors of tuberculosis among patients with diabetes mellitus: A cross-sectional hospital-based study.

Background Diabetes mellitus (DM) is increasingly recognized as a significant risk factor for tuberculosis (TB), particularly in developing countries where both conditions are highly prevalent. The coexistence of these diseases complicates clinical outcomes and challenges TB control efforts. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of TB among diabetic patients and to identify the major predictors associated with its occurrence. Methods A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted over 18 months (April 2024–September 2025). A total of 100 adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were enrolled. Detailed demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were recorded. Tuberculosis was diagnosed based on clinical findings, radiological evidence, sputum smear microscopy, GeneXpert assay, and histopathological confirmation when necessary. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and chi-square tests to identify significant predictors. Results The overall prevalence of TB among diabetic patients was 14%, with pulmonary TB (11%) being more frequent than extrapulmonary TB (3%). The mean age of participants was 54.7 ± 10.8 years, and 58% were male. Univariate analysis revealed that age ≥ 60 years (p=0.02), duration of diabetes >10 years (p=0.002), poor glycemic control (HbA1c ≥8%, p=0.02), low BMI (<18.5 kg/m², p=0.003), and HIV co-infection (p=0.02) were significant predictors of TB. Smoking and gender were not statistically significant. Conclusion The prevalence of TB among diabetic individuals remains considerably high, underscoring the bidirectional link between chronic hyperglycemia and infection risk. Recommendations Routine TB screening should be integrated into diabetes clinics, and strict glycemic control with nutritional support is essential to reduce TB risk. Interdisciplinary collaboration between TB and diabetes programs is strongly recommended. Early screening for TB should be prioritized among diabetics with prolonged disease duration, poor glycemic control, or low BMI.