Managing tuberculosis in patients with diabetes mellitus: why we care and what we know

As the global prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) increases, especially in low-to-middle income countries where tuberculosis (TB) remains endemic, we will encounter a growing number of TB patients with DM. This is a major concern for TB control programs, clinicians and patients alike because DM patients are at an increased risk of TB and are more likely to face poor TB treatment outcomes, including treatment failure, relapse and even death. Priority should be placed on early detection of both diseases through active screening, monitoring of adherence to medications for both diseases, and integration of TB and DM management strategies that would facilitate the provision of more comprehensive services that TB patients with DM require.