TREATMENT OUTCOMES OF TUBERCULOSIS AND PATTERN OF DRUG RESISTANCE AMONG TYPE 2 DIABETES PATIENTS

Abstract

The overall tuberculosis situation in the world remains a significant public health challenge due to its high prevalence, morbidity, and mortality rates. This study is focused on the association between tuberculosis and type II diabetes, which represents a complex interplay between two major global health threats. A total of 200 TB patients, with 100 in each group (diabetic and non-diabetic), were included in the final analysis. Diabetes was initially identified through random blood sample sugar testing using a glucometer and later confirmed with the HbA1c test. A fasting sputum sample was then obtained from each patient. The collected sample was used for smear microscopy of the TB, Culture, and GeneXpert® The MTB/RIF assay. At the four-month mark of anti-tuberculosis therapy, pharmacokinetic assessments were conducted to evaluate plasma drug concentrations. Overall, the mean age of the study participants has remained at 47.11±13.29 years. Baseline HbA1c showed that only 7% of patients had good glycemic control while the rest had poor glycemic control. A paired t-test was applied on the baseline and follow-up HbA1c findings and a significant difference (p-value <0.0001) was observed towards good glycemic control in follow-up. The treatment failure rate of diabetic patients is 13% much higher as compared to 6% in the non-diabetic group. Only five cases below the age of 40 years were categorized as treatment failure while 14/19 treatment failure cases were in the age group of ≥41 years. The findings of this current study indicate that Type II diabetes has a damaging effect on the outcomes of tuberculosis treatment. Diabetic patients have an increased rate of treatment failure compared to non-diabetic individuals (13% vs. 6%). Tuberculosis therapy was further complicated by the widespread presence of inadequate glycemic control among diabetes patients. These findings emphasize the significance of providing comprehensive care that addresses both tuberculosis and diabetes to enhance treatment results, especially in areas with a significant prevalence of both conditions. Thus, further analysis and research on this topic are required to understand the mechanisms affecting the metabolism of anti- TB drugs in diabetic patients.