Prevalence of Tuberculosis in Diabetic Patients Living in Rural Areas of Northern Iran in 2016

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic bacterial infection. Simultaneous onset of diabetes and TB can interfere with the treatment and control of TB.  Objective: This study aims to investigate the prevalence of TB in diabetic patients living in rural areas of northern Iran. Materials and Methods: Participants were 925 diabetic patients living in rural areas of Kordkuy County, Golestan, Iran. Data were collected using a checklist surveying demographic characteristics and medical records of patients. To diagnose TB, they underwent a TB skin test, sputum smear test, chest radiography, and referring to an infectious diseases specialist, if needed.  Results: Seven hundred sixteen of participants were female. The mean age of participants and their mean duration of diabetes were 58.4±11.1 and 8.39±5.47 years, respectively. Results of test showed that 62 patients had abnormal chest x-ray; 14 had coughing more than two weeks; 1 had fever; 2 had night sweats; 11 had sputum; 152 had positive TB skin test result; 10 had a history of previous TB; and 1 had active TB.  Conclusion: The prevalence and incidence of TB in diabetic patients is 60 and 6 times higher than in general population, respectively.