Association between diabetes mellitus and active tuberculosis in Africa and the effect of HIV

OBJECTIVE: To determine current evidence for the association between diabetes and active tuberculosis in Africa, and how HIV modifies, or not, any association between diabetes and active tuberculosis. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review by searching the EMBASE, Global Health and MEDLINE databases. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they explored the association between diabetes mellitus prevalence and active tuberculosis incidence or prevalence, used a comparison group, were conducted in an African population and adjusted the analysis for at least age. Study characteristics were compared, and risk of bias was assessed. The range of effect estimates was determined for the primary association and for effect modification by HIV. RESULTS: Three eligible studies were identified: two investigated the primary association and two investigated HIV as a potential effect modifier. All studies were case–control studies, including a combined total of 1958 tuberculosis cases and 2111 non‐tuberculosis controls. Diabetes diagnostic methods and analysis strategies varied between studies. Individual study adjusted odds ratios of active tuberculosis for the effect of diabetes mellitus (unstratified) ranged from 0.88 (95% CI 0.17–4.58) to 10.7 (95% CI 4.5–26.0). Individual study P‐values for HIV interaction ranged from 0.01 to 0.83. Quantitative synthesis of individual study data was not performed due to heterogeneity between studies. CONCLUSIONS: Few data currently exist on the association between diabetes and active tuberculosis in Africa, and on the effect of HIV on this association. Existing data are disparate. More regional research is needed to guide policy and practice on the care and control of tuberculosis and diabetes in Africa.