According to a new study published in JAMA Network Open, diabetes status may have a role to play in the risk for developing tuberculosis.

A population-based study conducted in Korea revealed that adults with diabetes had a 48% increased risk for developing tuberculosis compared to adults without diabetes (adjusted HR 1.48), reported researchers. The associated risk for tuberculosis was also found to be linked with the duration of diabetes. The risk was found to increase with diabetes duration - new-onset diabetes: aHR 1.32; diabetes duration <5 years: aHR 1.45; and diabetes duration >5 years: aHR 1.57.

Additionally, people with impaired fasting glucose only, but no diagnosis of diabetes, were not found to have an increased risk for tuberculosis infection (aHR 0.97). Individuals with new-onset diabetes in the highest decile of fasting blood glucose levels (202 mg/dL or higher) were noted to have a 79% greater risk for the infection compared to those with lower levels (fasting level of 126-128 mg/dL)… (Medpage Today)