HbA1c levels at presentation do not impact the clinical presentation or outcomes in abdominal tuberculosis

Abstract

Background: The relationship between diabetes mellitus and tuberculosis (TB) has received increasing attention, and diabetes may be associated with poor outcomes in pulmonary TB. Clinical relevance of HbA1c measurement in abdominal TB is unknown. Methods: We did a retrospective study of consecutive patients diagnosed with abdominal TB and treated with antitubercular therapy for 6 months. Patients were categorized as those with normal HbA1c (<5.7%) or those having elevated HbA1c (≥5.7%). The patients' baseline characteristics, their mode of presentation, type of abdominal TB, and their outcomes after treatment were retrieved and compared. Results: Of 84 patients included in the final analysis, the mean age was 35.52 years and 50% were male. While 19 patients had a confirmed diagnosis, 65 patients were diagnosed as probable abdominal TB. Of the 84 patients, 60 patients (71.43%) had a normal HbA1c and 24 patients (28.57%) had an elevated HbA1c. Those with elevated HbA1c were older in age (47.00 ± 13.98 vs. 30.93 ± 13.91; P < 0.001), and there were more males (75.0% vs. 40.0%; P = 0.004) as compared to the normal HbA1c group. However, other parameters such as their presenting features, pattern of abdominal TB, extra-abdominal involvement, outcomes after treatment, and need of intervention (surgery and dilatation) were comparable between both the groups. Conclusion: Presence of prediabetes or diabetes does not seem to impact the clinical presentation or outcomes in patients with abdominal TB.

Keywords

• Abdominal
• diabetes
• extrapulmonary
• HbA1c
• tuberculosis