Journal of Occupational Health and Epidemiology

en Tuberculosis and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Comorbidity in a South Indian Population: An Emerging Dual Burden Epidemiology Original Article <div style="text-align: justify;">Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) and tuberculosis (TB) significantly contribute to morbidity and mortality in India, and routine DM screening in TB patients is recommended. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of DM among newly diagnosed pulmonary TB (PTB) patients and identify associated risk factors at a tertiary care center in South India. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted in India, from January to December 2023, using hospital and laboratory records. Adults aged 18–75 years with newly diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), were included.  PTB was diagnosed based on microbiological, radiological, and clinical criteria. Key demographic, behavioral, and clinical data were collected. Glycemic status was assessed using HbA1c levels. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23, applying the chi-square test and logistic regression. Results: In this study, 117 (3.7%) of the 3,127 suspected PTB cases received a new diagnosis; the majority of these patients were male (71.7%), and the median age (Interquartile Range) was 56 (38.7-62) years. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) assessment revealed that 52 (44.5%) had normoglycemia, 4 (3.4%) were prediabetic, and 61 (52.1%) had Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Notably, among PTB patients with DM, the majority of them had HbA1c levels ≥ 6.5% (93.8%; n=61), with a higher prevalence in males (72.4%) than in females (21.5%).  Conclusion: Timely and regular DM screening in TB patients, particularly at diagnosis, is essential to reduce the dual burden of TB–DM comorbidity.</div> Tuberculosis,Diabetes Mellitus,Comorbidity,Mortality,Morbidity, 248 255 http://johe.rums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-1015-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Pavithra Selvan - - jeevepavi123@gmail.com 22400319475328460013373 22400319475328460013373 Yes Ph.D. in Medical Microbiology, Dept. of Microbiology, SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur – 603203, Chengalpattu District, Tamilnadu, India. - Nalini Jayanthi Nagesh - - nalinijayanthi59@gmail.com 22400319475328460013374 22400319475328460013374 No Professor and Head, Dept. of Respiratory Medicine, SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur – 603203, Chengalpattu District, Tamilnadu, India. - Kakithakara Vajravelu Leela - - dr.k.v.leela@gmail.com 22400319475328460013375 22400319475328460013375 No Professor and Head, Dept. of Microbiology, SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur – 603203, Chengalpattu District, Tamilnadu, India. -