Transient Impact of Dysglycemia on Sputum Conversion among Smear-Positive Tuberculosis Patients in a Tertiary Care Facility in Ghana. Issue 15 (September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yorke, Ernest; Boima, Vincent; Dey, Ida Dzifa; Amissah-Arthur, Maame-Boatemaa; Ganu, Vincent; Amaning-Kwarteng, Ernest; Tetteh, John; Charles Mate-Kole, C.
• Is Part Of: Clinical medicine insights. Issue 15(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-09
• Subjects: Tuberculosis -- smear Positive -- dysglycemia -- sputum Conversion -- transient.; Cardiovascular system -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Respiratory organs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Blood Circulation; Respiration; Lung Diseases; Cardiovascular system -- Diseases; Respiratory organs -- Diseases; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Periodicals; 616.1005
• DOI: 10.1177/11795484211039830
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1179-5484

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Apart from increasing the risk of tuberculosis (TB), diabetes may be associated with more severe disease and lower rates of sputum conversion among TB patients. METHODS: We conducted a baseline cross-sectional study with a longitudinal follow-up of newly diagnosed smear-positive TB patients for 6 months. Sputum conversion rates between those with dysglycemia and those without were compared at 2 months (end of the intensive phase) and 6 months (end of the treatment). Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were computed to assess factors associated with dysglycemia as well as sputum conversion. RESULTS: A significantly higher proportion of normoglycemic patients had negative sputum compared with those with dysglycemia (83% vs 67%, P -value < .05) at 2 months but not at 6 months (87% vs 77%, P -value > .05). After controlling for age group and adjusting for other covariates, patients with dysglycemia were 66% less likely to convert sputum than those with normoglycemia. Females were at least 7 times more likely than males and those with high waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) of 88% were less likely compared with those with low WHR for sputum conversion at 2 months, respectively. At 6 months, females (compared with males) and those with high WHR (compared with those with normal WHR) were at over 9 times increased odds and 89% less likely for sputum conversion, respectively. CONCLUSION: A significantly lower proportion of smear-positive TB patients with dysglycemia converted to smear negative after 2 months of treatment but not at the end of the treatment, thus suggesting a transient impact of dysglycemia on sputum conversion.