Early detection can help improve care and treatment outcomes of both tb and diabetes. All people with TB should be systematically screened for diabetes. Systematic screening for TB in people with diabetes should be considered in settings with high TB prevalence.
- People with a weak immune system, as a result of chronic diseases such as diabetes, are at a higher risk of progressing from latent to active tuberculosis.
- Diabetes triples a person’s risk of developing TB. About 15% of TB cases globally may be linked to diabetes.
- TB can temporarily cause impaired glucose tolerance which is a risk factor for developing diabetes
- The likelihood that a person with TB will die or relapse is significantly higher if the person also has diabetes.
- A large proportion of people with diabetes as well as TB are not diagnosed, or are diagnosed too late.
