Abstract
SETTING
Seventeen peripheral health institutions (PHI) in Kolar district (population: 0.5 million), South India.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the feasibility and results of screening patients with tuberculosis (TB) for diabetes mellitus (DM) at peripheral level.
DESIGN
From January to September 2012, all TB patients were assessed for DM. Those with unknown DM status were screened for the disease (free of charge) by trained laboratory technicians at each PHI, using a glucometer supplied by the national programme on a capillary blood sample. Those with fasting blood glucose (FBG) ≥ 126 mg/dl (≥7 mM) were diagnosed as DM-positive.
RESULTS
Of 362 TB patients, 358 (99%) were assessed for DM and 62 (17.1%) had the diseases-53 (14.6%) had a previous history of DM and 9 (2.9%) were newly diagnosed. All new DM patients were enrolled into DM care. Higher DM prevalence was found among TB patients aged ≥40 years, smokers and those with smear-positive pulmonary TB. To detect a new case of DM, the number needed to screen (NNS) among TB patients was 40.
CONCLUSION
Screening of TB patients for DM was feasible and effective in a peripheral setting. The availability of trained laboratory technicians and free services at every PHI made the intervention feasible. The study has contributed towards a national policy decision in this regard.
