Clinic analysis of pulmonary tuberculosis coexist with diabetes mellitus:Report of 346 cases

Objective: To summarize the clinical features of pulmonary tuberculosis complicated with diabetes mellitus and to improve the treatment effects. Methods: The clinical data of 346 patients suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis accompanied with diabetes mellitus were analyzed retrospectively. Results: The incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis comlicated with diabetes mellitus tended to increase in the middle aged and elderly people. Women were more easily affected than men (P<0.05). Specific features included wide spreading of the focuses of infection, which were mainly in the caseous form and accmpanied by cavity, high positive rate of bacteriologic sputum, poor curative result and high occurrence of relapse. Most of the patients had type 2 diabetes mellitus mellitus. Early use of insulin might achieve better results than oral medicine in symptom improvement, cavity closure and the rate of sputum turning to negative (P<0.05-P<0.005). The treatment duration lasted for 1.5-2.0 years. Conclusions: The patients with pulmonary tuberculosis complicated with diabetes mellitus have special clinical features. Control of blood glucose is the key for successful treatment. Early insulin has better treatment effects than oral medication.