Prevalence, Incidence, and Characteristics of Tuberculosis Among Known Diabetes Patients — A Prospective Cohort Study in 10 Sites, 2013–2015

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS TOPIC? The association of diabetes mellitus (DM) with both increased risk of tuberculosis (TB) and unfavorable treatment outcomes has been identified by many studies (1). However, epidemic data for TB cases in DM patients is absent in China. WHAT IS ADDED BY THIS REPORT? This current population-based prospective cohort study, conducted in ten counties located in eastern, central, and western China during 2013–2015, revealed a high prevalence and incidence of TB in known DM patients. Most TB cases were captured by active case-finding and a much higher presence of being asymptomatic among TB/DM patients was obtained. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICE? Active case-finding should be carried out in DM patients and populations at high risk for developing TB. A TB symptom screening-based case-finding strategy is not enough; chest radiography check should be done once a year for these patients.