The change in blood glucose levels in tuberculosis patients before and during anti-tuberculosis treatment in China

Lipid Levels and Atherogenic Indices as Important Predictive Parameters in the Assessment of Cardiovascular Risk in Patients with Pulmonary Tuberculosis-Slovak Pilot Study

Background and Objective: Tuberculosis is one of the globally prevalent infectious diseases. Lipids play a crucial role in its development as well as in other diseases of the cardiovascular system. Cardiovascular diseases significantly worsen the functional and vital prognosis of tuberculosis patients. The aim of the study was to assess the differences in lipid profile, glucose, and atherogenic markers between tuberculosis patients and healthy individuals. Materials and Methods: The project involved 34 patients diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) and a control group (CG: n = 35). The following were assessed: total cholesterol (CHOL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglycerides (TG), and glucose. Atherogenic indices: Castelli risk index I (CRI-I), Castelli risk index II (CRI-II), atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) and atherogenic coefficient (AC) were calculated from lipid profile parameters using appropriate formulas. Results: A statistically significant difference was found between CG and TB in the parameters CHOL, LDL and HDL (p < 0.001). Based on the calculated atherogenic indices CRI-I and AIP, people diagnosed with TB can be classified into the high cardiovascular risk group. By fitting the ROC curve, atherogenic indices were shown to be effective predictors of cardiovascular risk in people with tuberculosis. Conclusions: Atherogenic indices are useful markers for detecting cardiovascular disease in patients with tuberculosis and may help identify cardiovascular risks that might otherwise be missed.

Tuberculosis treatment and resulting abnormal blood glucose: a scoping review of studies from 1981 - 2021

BACKGROUND

Hyperglycaemia is a risk factor for tuberculosis. Evidence of changes in blood glucose levels during and after tuberculosis treatment is unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To compile evidence of changes in blood glucose during and after tuberculosis treatment and the effects of elevated blood glucose changes on treatment outcomes in previously normoglycaemic patients.

METHODS

Original research studies (1980 to 2021) were identified in PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL and Embase databases.

RESULTS

Of the 1,277 articles extracted, 14 were included in the final review. All the studies were observational and 50% were prospective. Fasting blood sugar was the most common clinical test (64%), followed by the glycated haemoglobin test and the oral glucose tolerance test (each 50%). Most tests were conducted at baseline and in the third month of treatment. Twelve studies showed that the prevalence of hyperglycaemia in previously normoglycaemic patients decreased from baseline to follow-up and end of treatment. Three studies showed successful treatment outcomes of 64%, 75% and 95%. Patients with hyperglycaemia at baseline were more likely to develop cavitary lung lesions and poor treatment outcomes and had higher post-treatment mortality. There was no difference in outcomes by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status.

CONCLUSION

Elevated blood glucose in normoglycaemic patients receiving treatment for tuberculosis decreased by the end of treatment. Positive HIV status did not affect glucose changes during treatment. Further research is needed to investigate post-treatment morbidity in patients with baseline hyperglycaemia and the effects of HIV on the association between blood glucose and tuberculosis.

Gradient association between pulmonary tuberculosis and diabetes mellitus among households with a tuberculosis case: a contact tracing-based study

Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and diabetes mellitus (DM) remain high morbidity and mortality, especially when they are comorbid with each other. Screening for diabetes mellitus in tuberculosis is essential as the incidence and mortality of DM in the population with PTB are higher than in the general people. We aimed to examine the gradient association of tuberculosis on developing DM, the additional yield and the number needed to screen (NNS) to find a new diabetes case. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 801 tuberculosis cases and 972 household contacts in Guizhou, China, from April 2019 to October 2020. After screening for PTB among contacts, all participants were screened for DM and interviewed. Kendall's tau-b test and proportional odds logistic regression analysis were applied to identify the gradient associations. Among the 1773 subjects, the additional yield of screening was 21.8%. The NNSs of the non-PTB group, the sputum-culture negative and positive groups were 50, 60 and 113, respectively. The gradient incremental establishment of DM and PTB were positively correlated. The general trend on the gradient of DM significantly increased with the gradient increase of PTB. Age 35 years and over, excessive edible oil intake and DM family history were identified as significant predictors of diabetes. Integrated screening for DM targeted to different gradients of PTB combined with associated factors is necessitated to achieve a higher additional yield.

Implementation of the WHO's collaborative framework for the management of tuberculosis and diabetes: a scoping review

OBJECTIVE

To map evidence on the implementation of the WHO's collaborative framework for the management of tuberculosis (TB) and diabetes mellitus (DM) comorbidity, globally.

DESIGN

Scoping review.

METHODS

Guided by Arksey and O'Malley's scoping review framework, this review mapped literature on the global implementation of the framework for the management of TB and DM comorbidity, globally. An extensive literature search for peer-reviewed studies, theses, studies in the press and a list of references from the selected studies was conducted to source-eligible studies. PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Science Direct, the EBSCOhost platform (academic search complete, health source: nursing/academic edition, CINAHL with full text), Scopus and the WHO library were used to source the literature. We performed title screening of articles using keywords in the databases, after which two independent reviewers (RS and PV) screened abstracts and full articles. Studies from August 2011 to May 2021 were included in this review and the screening was guided by the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Findings were analysed using the thematic content analysis approach and results presented in the form of a narrative report. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis extension was used as a checklist and for explaining the scoping review process.

RESULTS

This review found evidence of the WHO TB-DM collaborative framework's implementation in 35 countries across the globe. TB-DM comorbidity was identified in patients through bidirectional screening of both patients with TB and patients with DM in rural and urban settings.

CONCLUSION

Due to the paucity of evidence on mechanisms of collaboration, we recommend further research in other implementing countries to identify techniques used for diagnosis and integration of TB and DM services, in order to ensure that effective and joint management of TB-DM comorbidity in populations is achieved.

Glycemic Trajectories and Treatment Outcomes of Patients with Newly Diagnosed Tuberculosis: A Prospective Study in Eastern China

Rationale: Patients with newly diagnosed tuberculosis often have inconsistent glycemic measurements during and after treatment. Distinct glycemic trajectories after the diagnosis of tuberculosis are not well characterized, and whether patients with stress hyperglycemia have poor treatment outcomes is not known.Objectives: To identify distinct glycemic trajectories from the point of tuberculosis diagnosis to the posttreatment period and to assess the relationship between glycemic trajectories and tuberculosis treatment outcomes.Methods: Patients with newly diagnosed, drug-susceptible tuberculosis and with at least three fasting plasma glucose tests at tuberculosis diagnosis and during the third and sixth month of treatment were identified and included from Jiangsu Province, China. Patients were also given an additional fasting plasma glucose test at 2 and 4 months after treatment.Measurements and Main Results: Several distinct glycemic trajectories from the point of tuberculosis diagnosis to the posttreatment period were found, including consistently normal glycemic testing results (43%), transient hyperglycemia (24%), erratic glycemic instability (12%), diabetes (16%), and consistent hyperglycemia without diabetes (6%). Compared with participants with a consistently normal glycemic trajectory, patients with transient hyperglycemia were more likely to experience treatment failure (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 4.20; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.57-11.25; P = 0.004) or erratic glycemic instability (AOR, 5.98; 95% CI, 2.00-17.87; P = 0.001). Patients living with diabetes also had a higher risk of experiencing treatment failure (AOR, 6.56; 95% CI, 2.22-19.35; P = 0.001), and this was modified by glycemic control and metformin use.Conclusions: Among patients with tuberculosis without diabetes, glycemic changes were common and may represent an important marker for patient response to tuberculosis treatment.

Application of responsibility-based nursing in patients with both DM and PTB

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the application value of responsibility-based nursing intervention in the nursing of patients with both diabetes mellitus (DM) and pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB).

METHODS

A total of 180 patients with both DM and PTB admitted to our hospital from April 2019 to April 2020 were enrolled as research objects, of which 86 patients were under routine nursing intervention as a regular group (Reg group) and other 94 patients were under responsibility-based nursing intervention as a responsibility group (Res group). The unhealthy emotion, treatment compliance, self-efficacy, self-care ability, and life quality of both groups were evaluated after nursing intervention, and they were compared in blood glucose level and PTB treatment outcome.

RESULTS

After intervention, the Res group got lower self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and self-rating depression scale (SDS) scores than the Reg group (both P<0.05). The Res group also got higher scores of self-efficacy, self-care ability, and life quality, and showed significantly higher treatment compliance rate and nursing satisfaction than the Reg group after intervention (all P<0.05). Additionally, after intervention, the Res group got higher scores of life quality than the Reg group (all P<0.05). The levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG), 2 hour postprandial blood glucose (2h PG), and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in the Res group were lower than those in the Reg group, and the cavity closure rate, sputum negative conversion rate, and focus absorption rate of the Res group were all significantly higher than those of the Reg group (all P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Responsibility-based nursing intervention can improve the treatment compliance, self-management ability, self-efficacy, and life quality of patients with both DM and PTB.

The epidemiology of tuberculosis-associated hyperglycemia in individuals newly screened for type 2 diabetes mellitus: systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

There is scarce evidence that tuberculosis (TB) can cause diabetes in those not previously known to be diabetic. Whilst the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends screening for Diabetes Mellitus (DM) at the onset of TB treatment, nevertheless, it remains to be elucidated which patients with TB-associated hyperglycemia are at higher risk for developing DM and stand to benefit from a more regular follow-up. This review aims to firstly quantify the reduction of newly detected hyperglycemia burden in TB patients who are on treatment over time; secondly, determine the burden of TB-associated hyperglycemia after follow-up, and thirdly, synthesize literature on risk factors for unresolved TB-associated hyperglycemia in previously undiagnosed individuals.

Methods

We searched PUBMED, EMBASE, SCOPUS, and Global Health for articles on TB-associated hyperglycemia up to September 30th, 2019. Search terms included Tuberculosis and hyperglycemia/DM, and insulin resistance. We appraised studies, extracted data, and conducted a meta-analysis to assess the change of the burden of hyperglycemia in prospective studies. The review is registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42019118173).

Results

Eleven studies were included in the meta-analysis yielding a total of 677 (27,3%) of patients with newly detected hyperglycemia at baseline. The mean quality score of eligible studies using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale was 7.1 out of 9 (range 6-9). The pooled unresolved new cases of hyperglycemia at the end of follow up was 50% (95% CI: 36–64%) and the total pooled burden of hyperglycemia at 3–6 months of follow up was 11% (95% CI: 7–16%), with both estimates displaying a high heterogeneity, which remained significant after performing a sub-analysis by DM diagnostic method and 3 months of follow up. As only 2 studies explored risk factors for unresolved hyperglycemia, no meta-analysis was performed on risk factors.

Conclusion

Our meta-analysis showed that although in half of the patients with newly observed hyperglycemia at baseline, it remained unresolved at a follow-up of 3 to 6 months, the total burden of hyperglycemia is slightly above 10%, 3 months after initiating TB treatment. Studies are warranted to assess whether risk factors including HIV positivity, smoking, and extensive pulmonary TB disease put patients at higher risk for DM.

Supplementary information

Supplementary information accompanies this paper at 10.1186/s12879-020-05512-7.

Aspirin enhances the clinical efficacy of anti-tuberculosis therapy in pulmonary tuberculosis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background: Tuberculosis in patients with diabetes mellitus is characterised by rapid disease progression, poor treatment efficacy, poor prognosis and poses a new challenge in tuberculosis treatment and control.Methods: Patients with pulmonary TB and type 2 DM were recruited at Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College. A total of 348 patients were randomly assigned to two groups. The aspirin group (aspirin + TB/DM) included 174 patients who received anti-TB therapy and enteric-coated aspirin tablets (100 mg/tablet). The control group (placebo + TB/DM) included 174 patients who received anti-TB therapy and enteric-coated placebo tablets (an identical tablet containing no drug). Eighty-two patients in the aspirin group and 86 in the control group completed the trial and were included in the analysis. Clinical characteristics, laboratory test results, imaging data and side effects of aspirin were monitored.Results: Aspirin treatment affect certain signs and symptoms. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were lower in the aspirin group than in the control group after treatment (Both p = .000). The sputum-negative conversion rate was 86.7% in the aspirin group, significantly higher than in the control group (53.8%) (p = .031). After two months of treatment, the differences in the number of cases with cavities, the number of cavities, and maximum diameter of cavities in the aspirin group were statistically significant (p = .003, p = .023 and p = .015 respectively).Conclusion: Our findings suggest that aspirin may improve treatment in patients with pulmonary TB and type 2 DM.

Diabetes mellitus among patients attending TB clinics in Dar es Salaam: a descriptive cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

A bi-directional interaction between diabetes mellitus and tuberculosis is well established and has been likened to that between HIV and TB. Whereas HIV screening is standard of care test in sub Saharan Africa TB programs, the same is not true for diabetes mellitus (DM). Sub Saharan Africa, a region with high TB infection rates, is going through an epidemiological transition with rapidly rising prevalence of diabetes. We aimed at characterizing TB patients with DM in order to identify factors associated with TB-DM dual disease among patients attending TB clinics in Dar es Salaam.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted between September 2016 and January 2017 among patients attending TB clinics in Dar es Salaam. We collected socio-demographic characteristics, anthropometric measurements and screened for diabetes by measuring fasting blood glucose that was followed by a 2 h postprandial glucose for participants with impaired fasting blood glucose. We examined for socio-demographic and clinical factors associated with diabetes using logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Of the 660 enrolled participants with TB, 25 (3.8%) were on treatment for diabetes while 39 (6.1%) and 147 (23%) of the remaining 635 participants were ultimately diagnosed with DM and impaired fasting blood glucose respectively. The overall prevalence of DM was 9.7% (64/660). Independent risk factors for diabetes included: age > 44 years {OR 4.52, 95% CI: [1.28-15.89]}; family history of diabetes {OR 3.42, 95% [CI 1.88-6.21]}. HIV sero-positive TB patients were less likely to have DM compared to those who were HIV sero-negative {OR 0.35, 95% CI [0.17-0.73]}.

CONCLUSIONS

Screening for diabetes should be advocated for TB patients aged above 44 years and/or with a family history of diabetes. HIV sero-negative TB patients were more likely to have DM compared to those who were HIV sero-positive. Further studies are needed to confirm this observation and the underlying factors.

Screening tuberculosis patients for diabetes mellitus in a routine program setting in Kampala, Uganda: a cross-sectional study

Background: Uganda is located in East Africa and is among the countries with the lowest income globally. The ten health centres in this project serve populations in the under-privileged communities of Kampala. The objective of the study was to implement diabetes mellitus (DM) screening among tuberculosis (TB) patients in a routine program setting with limited resources and high human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional observational study was conducted in ten health centres in Kampala, Uganda. As part of a project to implement DM screening in a routine setting, TB patients were screened for DM by trained health workers. A fasting blood glucose (FBG) value ≥7.0mmol/l was considered to indicate DM. For this study, aggregate data was collected and analysed using SPSS for Windows, version 13.0. Results:  Among 4,590 TB patients registered, 4,016 (88.0%) were screened with random blood glucose (RBG). Of those with RBG ≥6.1mmol/l, 1,093 (83.3%) were screened with FBG. In total, 92 (2.3%) patients were diagnosed with DM and 66 (71.8%) of them were newly diagnosed. The proportion of TB patients screened with FBG in the health centres varied from 58.2% to 100%. The proportion of patients screened with FBG and the prevalence of DM were significantly higher in private health centres compared with public health centres. The health centres in peri-urban areas screened more patients with RBG than those in urban areas. Health centres without DM services screened a larger number of patients with RBG and FBG than those with DM services. Conclusions: It appears feasible to implement screening TB patients for DM in routine program settings with limited resources and high HIV prevalence. Its introduction requires close collaboration between TB and DM services. The challenges identified need government attention and certain institutional and service-related factors need to be better managed at times.

Screening tuberculosis patients for diabetes mellitus in a routine program setting in Kampala, Uganda: a cross-sectional study

Background: Uganda is located in East Africa and is among the countries with the lowest income globally. The ten health centres in this project serve populations in the under-privileged communities of Kampala. The objective of the study was to implement diabetes mellitus (DM) screening among tuberculosis (TB) patients in a routine program setting with limited resources and high human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional observational study was conducted in ten health centres in Kampala, Uganda. As part of a project to implement DM screening in a routine setting, TB patients were screened for DM by trained health workers. A fasting blood glucose (FBG) value ≥7.0mmol/l was considered to indicate DM. For this study, aggregate data was collected and analysed using SPSS for Windows, version 13.0. Results:  Among 4,590 TB patients registered, 4,016 (88.0%) were screened with random blood glucose (RBG). Of those with RBG ≥6.1mmol/l, 1,093 (83.3%) were screened with FBG. In total, 92 (2.3%) patients were diagnosed with DM and 66 (71.8%) of them were newly diagnosed. The proportion of TB patients screened with FBG in the health centres varied from 58.2% to 100%. The proportion of patients screened with FBG and the prevalence of DM were significantly higher in private health centres compared with public health centres. The health centres in peri-urban areas screened more patients with RBG than those in urban areas. These health centres without DM services screened a larger number of patients with RBG and FBG than those with DM services. Conclusions: It appears feasible to implement screening TB patients for DM in routine program settings with limited resources and high HIV prevalence. Its introduction requires close collaboration between TB and DM services. The challenges identified need government attention and certain institutional and service-related factors need to be better managed at times.

Vitamin D status of tuberculosis patients with diabetes mellitus in different economic areas and associated factors in China

BACKGROUND

Vitamin D could be a mediator in the association between tuberculosis (TB) and diabetes mellitus (DM). A large scale multi-center study confirmed that TB patients with DM had significantly lower serum vitamin D level compared with those without DM and reported that DM was a strong independent risk factor for vitamin D deficiency.

OBJECTIVES

This study was undertaken to determine amongst patients with both TB and DM living in different economically defined areas in China: i) their baseline characteristics, ii) their vitamin D status and iii) whether certain baseline characteristics were associated with vitamin D deficiency.

METHODS

In DM-TB patients consecutively attending seven clinics or hospitals, we measured 25 hydroxycholecalciferol at the time of registration using electrochemiluminescence in a COBASE 601 Roche analyser by chemiluminescence immunoassay. Data analysis was performed using chi square test and multivariate logistic regression.

RESULTS

There were 178 DM-TB patients that included 50 from economically well-developed areas, 103 from better-off areas and 25 from a poverty area. Median vitamin D levels in well-developed, better-off and poverty areas were 11.5ng/ml, 12.2ng/ml and 11.5ng/ml respectively. Amongst all patients, 149 (84%) had vitamin D deficiency-91 (51%) with vitamin D deficiency (10-19.9 ng/ml) and 58 (33%) with severe deficiency (< 10 ng/ml). There was a significantly higher proportion with vitamin D deficiency in the poverty area. The adjusted odds of vitamin D deficiency (25-(OH)D3 <20 ng/ml) were significantly higher in those with longer history of DM (P = 0.038) and with HbA1c≥10% (P = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

Over 80% of TB patients with DM in China were vitamin D deficient, with risk factors being residence in a poverty area, a long duration of DM and uncontrolled DM. TB programme managers and clinicians need to pay more attention to the vitamin D status of their patients.

Stress Hyperglycemia in Patients with Tuberculosis Disease: Epidemiology and Clinical Implications

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The intersection of tuberculosis (TB) disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus is severely hindering global efforts to reduce TB burdens. Diabetes increases the risk of developing TB disease and negatively impacts TB treatment outcomes including culture conversion time, mortality risk, and TB relapse. Recent evidence also indicates plausible mechanisms by which TB disease may influence the pathogenesis and incidence of diabetes. We review the epidemiology of stress hyperglycemia in patients with TB and the pathophysiologic responses to TB disease that are related to established mechanisms of stress hyperglycemia. We also consider clinical implications of stress hyperglycemia on TB treatment, and the role of TB disease on risk of diabetes post-TB.

RECENT FINDINGS

Among patients with TB disease, the development of stress hyperglycemia may influence the clinical manifestation and treatment response of some patients and can complicate diabetes diagnosis. Research is needed to elucidate the relationship between TB disease and stress hyperglycemia and determine the extent to which stress hyperglycemia impacts TB treatment response. Currently, there is insufficient data to support clinical recommendations for glucose control among patients with TB disease, representing a major barrier for efforts to improve treatment outcomes for patients with TB and diabetes.

Trends in HbA1c levels and implications for diabetes screening in tuberculosis cases undergoing treatment in India

SETTING

The optimal timing of screening for diabetes mellitus (DM) among tuberculosis (TB) cases is unclear due to the possibility of stress hyperglycemia.

DESIGN

We evaluated adult (18 years) pulmonary TB cases at treatment initiation as well as at 3 months, 6 months and 12 months. DM was identified by self-report (known DM) or glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c)  6.5% (new DM). Trends in HbA1c levels during treatment were assessed using non-parametric tests.

RESULTS

Of the 392 participants enrolled, 75 (19%) had DM, 30 (40%) of whom had new DM. Of the 45 participants with known DM, respectively 37 (82%) and 40 (89%) received medication to lower glucose levels at treatment initiation and completion; one participant with new DM initiated glucose-lowering medication during follow-up. The median HbA1c level in participants with known, new and no DM was respectively 10.1% (interquartile range [IQR] 8.3-11.6), 8.5% (IQR 6.7-11.5) and 5.6% (IQR 5.3-5.9) at treatment initiation, and 8.7% (IQR 6.8-11.3), 7.1% (IQR 5.8-9.5) and 5.3% (IQR 5.1-5.6) at treatment completion (P < 0.001). Overall, 5 (12%) with known and 13 (43%) with new DM at treatment initiation had reverted to HbA1c < 6.5% by treatment completion (P = 0.003); the majority of reversions occurred during the first 3 months, with no significant reversions beyond 6 months.

CONCLUSION

HbA1c levels declined with anti-tuberculosis treatment. Repeat HbA1c testing at treatment completion could reduce the risk of misdiagnosis of DM.

Analysis of blood glucose distribution characteristics in a health examination population in Chengdu (2007-2015)

With socioeconomic growth and cultural changes in China, the level of blood glucose may have changed in recent years. This study aims to detect the blood glucose distribution characteristics with a large size of health examination population.A total of 641,311 cases (360,259 males and 281,052 females) more than 18 years old during 2007 to 2015 were recruited from the Health Examination Center at West China hospital, Sichuan University.The percentage of cases with abnormal glucose level and the mean level of glucose were significantly increased since 2007 to 2015 overall. The percentage of cases with abnormal glucose level in males was significantly higher than that in females every year, and the percentage of cases with abnormal glucose level in aged population was higher than the young population. In addition, the mean level of glucose was higher in aged population with normal level of glucose than the young population with normal level of glucose, and the mean level of glucose was higher in males with normal level of glucose than the females with normal level of glucose.The population showed an increased level of blood glucose. Some preventive action may be adopted early and more attention can be paid to them.