Diabetes mellitus and treatment outcomes of pulmonary tuberculosis: a cohort study

Objectives This study aimed to investigate the impact of diabetes on the treatment outcomes among pulmonary TB patients in Yerevan, Armenia. Methods We utilized a cohort study design that included TB patients with diabetes and TB patients without diabetes. The data collection was conducted in the National Tuberculosis Control Center, eight tuberculosis outpatient centers and the ‘Prisoners’ Hospital’ in Yerevan, Armenia. Data were collected from an existing national TB database and patients medical records. Multivariable logistic regressions were conducted to construct the final model and test the associations. Results The final sample included 621 patients 5.8% of whom had diabetes. The odds of having treatment failure was 8.99 times higher among TB patients with diabetes (95% confidence interval 2.51–32.23) compared to TB patients without diabetes after adjusting for weight and sputum smear status. Conclusions Diabetes comorbidity had a negative effect on TB treatment outcomes. Countries with a high burden of both TB and diabetes need to develop mechanisms for active screening for diabetes among patients with TB and address their treatment needs carefully.