Association Between Glycemic Control Parameters (HbA1c and Random Blood Glucose) And Pulmonary Tuberculosis Status Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a condition that may increase susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) through impaired immune function associated with hyperglycemia. This study aimed to analyze the association of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and random blood glucose (RBG) levels with pulmonary TB status among patients with T2DM at Ibnu Sina Hospital Makassar in 2024. This cross-sectional study used secondary data obtained from medical records. A total of 165 patients with T2DM were selected using purposive sampling. Data were analyzed using univariate and bivariate analyses with the Chi-square test or Fisher’s Exact Test according to the characteristics of the data. Among the 165 patients, 20 (12.1%) had pulmonary TB. The proportion of pulmonary TB was 10.7% among patients with controlled HbA1c and 12.4% among those with uncontrolled HbA1c. There was no significant association between HbA1c and pulmonary TB status (p=1.000; POR=1.181). The proportion of pulmonary TB was 11% among patients with normal RBG and 13% among those with elevated RBG, with no significant association between RBG and pulmonary TB status (p=0.867; POR=1.219). In conclusion, HbA1c and RBG were not significantly associated with pulmonary TB status among patients with T2DM in this study. Further studies with larger sample sizes and adjustment for potential confounding factors are needed to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between glycemic control and pulmonary TB.