Tuberculosis-Related Diabetes: Is It Reversible after Complete Treatment?

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2017 Oct;97(4):1099-1102. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.16-0816. Epub 2017 Aug 18.

Abstract

Individuals with newly diagnosed tuberculosis (TB) were screened for diabetes (DM) with fasting plasma glucose (FPG) in Pakistan. A significant decrease in FPG was observed when TB was treated. Of those with newly diagnosed DM, 46% and 62% no longer had hyperglycemia after 3 and 6 months, respectively. Individuals with known DM also showed a significant decrease in fasting plasma levels when treated for TB, but after 3 months none had normoglycemia, and after 6 months 9.2% were normoglycemic. Thus, TB-related DM may abate when the stress terminates, as is the case in gestational DM. However, because stress hyperglycemia may be associated with subsequent risk of developing DM, follow-up is recommended.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antitubercular Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Diabetes Mellitus / drug therapy*
  • Diabetes Mellitus / etiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pakistan
  • Prevalence
  • Tuberculosis / complications*
  • Tuberculosis / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Antitubercular Agents
  • Hypoglycemic Agents