Meta-analysis of the prevalence of tuberculosis in diabetic patients and its association with cigarette smoking in African and Asian countries

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review and meta-analysis was undertaken to estimate the prevalence of tuberculosis in diabetic patients and to determine the effect of cigarette smoking. RESULTS: A total of 15 studies was included in the meta-analysis. The pooled overall prevalence of tuberculosis in diabetes was 4.72% (95% CI 3.62-5.83%). In sub-group analyses, the prevalence was 5.13% (95% CI 4.34-5.92%) in Africa, followed by 4.16% (95% CI 2.9-5.4%) in Asia. The odd ratio of tuberculosis among diabetes patients was 7.6 (95% CI 1.46-39) in cigarette smokers as compared to nonsmokers. Publication bias was detected based on graphic asymmetry of fun-nel plots, Begg's and Egger's tests (p < 0.05). Tuberculosis is a common co-morbidity in diabetic patients. Tuberculosis-diabetes co-morbidity is significantly higher in cigarette smokers.