Screening tuberculosis patients for diabetes mellitus in Fiji: notes from the field.

Abstract

Diabetes (DM) is a problem in Fiji and threatens tuberculosis (TB) control efforts. A review was conducted of all TB patients registered in Fiji in 2011 to assess routine practices of screening for DM. Of 221 TB patients, 138 (62%) had their DM status recorded in their case folders; 18 (13%) had a known history of DM. Random blood glucose (RBG) was performed in 91 (76%) of the remaining 120 patients: 47(52%) had RBG ≥6.1 mmol/l, but only three were further investigated, of whom one was diagnosed with DM. There are deficiencies in screening TB patients for DM in Fiji, and improvements are needed.

Citation

Gounder, S.; Harries, AD. Screening tuberculosis patients for diabetes mellitus in Fiji: notes from the field [Short communication]. Public Health Action (2013) 2 (4) 145-147. [DOI: 10.5588/pha.12.0058]

Screening tuberculosis patients for diabetes mellitus in Fiji: notes from the field.

Published 1 January 2013