Speakers - 2027

Title: Bidirectional screening of tuberculosis and diabetes mellitus patients in Nepal

Abstract

Nepal faces a rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), particularly diabetes. Patients with tuberculosis (TB) are at a heightened risk of developing diabetes, owing to factors such as chronic inflammation, adverse effects of anti-tuberculosis medications, and lifestyle modifications during the course of treatment.  Diabetes patients have a heightened susceptibility to tuberculosis due to compromised immune function, making them more susceptible to infection. Active screening for both diseases is crucial for early diagnosis and reduce tuberculosis transmission and prevent the development of complications of diabetes. This study aims to determine the prevalence of TB among patients with diabetes and the prevalence of diabetes among patient with TB along with the associated risk factors.