Sub-Saharan African Journal of Medicine

ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Year
: 2015  |  Volume : 2  |  Issue : 1  |  Page : 5--9

Glycemic control and radiographic manifestations of pulmonary tuberculosis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus


Sindhuri Avuthu, Vinay Mahishale, Bhagyashri Patil, Ajith Eti 
 Department of Pulmonary Medicine, KLE University's J. N. Medical College, Belgaum, Karnataka, India

Correspondence Address:
Vinay Mahishale
Department of Pulmonary Medicine, KLE University�SQ�s J. N. Medical College, Belgaum, Karnataka
India

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a risk factor for tuberculosis (TB) and may modify its presenting features. Atypical radiologic images of pulmonary TB are common in DM. Many studies have compared the radiological manifestations of TB between patients with and without DM. Aim of the Study: To study the impact of poor glycemic control on radiographic manifestations of the newly diagnosed smear-positive pulmonary TB patients with type 2 DM. Materials and Methods: In a tertiary care hospital, 70 patients newly diagnosed with smear-positive pulmonary TB and with coexisting type 2 DM were enrolled. Glycemic control was assessed by glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1 C ). A pretreatment chest radiograph was read independently by two qualified pulmonologists blinded to patients�SQ� diabetic status. Films with any discordant reading were read by a third reader. Radiological lesions on chest radiograph were classified into minimal, moderately advanced and far advanced as per American Thoracic Society criteria. Results: Of 70 patients, 47 (67.1%) had their HbA1c level ΃7%. Patients with poor glycemic control (HbA1c ΃7%) were more likely to have lower lung field involvement (29.8% vs. 13.04%; P < 0.01), far advanced lesions (40% vs. 4%; P < 0.001) and cavitary disease on chest radiograph (76.6% vs. 43.4% P < 0.05). Conclusion: Poor glycemic control significantly influences radiographic manifestations of pulmonary TB in patients with DM. Uncontrolled diabetics seem to have multiple and large cavities. Also isolated lower lung field involvement is more common in uncontrolled diabetics than in optimal control patients. High index of suspicion is, therefore, required in uncontrolled diabetics when radiological patterns are atypical.


How to cite this article:
Avuthu S, Mahishale V, Patil B, Eti A. Glycemic control and radiographic manifestations of pulmonary tuberculosis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.Sub-Saharan Afr J Med 2015;2:5-9


How to cite this URL:
Avuthu S, Mahishale V, Patil B, Eti A. Glycemic control and radiographic manifestations of pulmonary tuberculosis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Sub-Saharan Afr J Med [serial online] 2015 [cited 2024 Mar 28 ];2:5-9
Available from: https://www.ssajm.org/article.asp?issn=2384-5147;year=2015;volume=2;issue=1;spage=5;epage=9;aulast=Avuthu;type=0