Diabetes prevalence and factors associated with newly detected diabetes in elderly TB patients

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BACKGROUND TB and diabetes mellitus (DM) frequently coexist, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Evidence on their coexistence among the elderly in Bangladesh is limited. This study assessed prevalence of diabetes and associated factors with newly detected diabetes in elderly TB patients. METHODS This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2025 across eight tertiary care hospitals in Bangladesh. A total of 656 TB patients aged ≥60 years were included. Diabetes status was determined using prior diagnosis and oral glucose tolerance testing after 2 weeks of TB treatment initiation. Data were collected by face-to-face interview using semi-structured questionnaire. Informed written consent was taken and ethical issues were maintained. Data were analysed by IBM SPSS software. Multivariable logistic regression identified factors associated with newly detected diabetes. RESULTS Prevalence of diabetes was 30.3%, including 16.8% known and 16.3% newly detected. Newly detected diabetes was associated with age 65-69 years (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 3.81) and ≥70 years (AOR = 4.95), physical inactivity (AOR = 5.23), overweight/obesity (AOR = 7.73), family history of diabetes (AOR = 9.14), and pulmonary TB (AOR = 4.49). Dietary risk lost significance in adjusted analysis. CONCLUSIONS Due to high burden of diabetes in elderly TB patients, routine diabetes screening and TB-DM management, particularly targeting high-risk groups, are essential to improve outcomes. .