People suffering diabetes has higher risk of carrying TB virus by four times that remains risky for lifetime, revealed researchers from the University of Copenhagen. The increasing number of diabetics in Asia and Africa boosts the probability that more and more people will suffer and die from TB in future.
The research team of Copenhagen University has just finished their major research project in Tanzania in which they have recognized that diabetes is far more prevalent than though previously. The risk of death from TB (tuberculosis) is increased if person is diabetic. Previously diabetes was mostly associated with Western world while TB was more prevalent in developing countries.
The study findings demonstrate that diabetes is a severe threat to the control of tuberculosis. Lead investigator Dr Daniel Faurholt Jepsen, stated their studies show, firstly, that diabetes is hastily advancing in developing countries, not just in Asia, but in Africa as well. And secondly, that as a diabetic one is four times more at risk of developing tuberculosis.
He added besides, diabetics five times as likely to die under tuberculosis treatment. Tuberculosis kills more than a million people each year. The figure may be much higher in the future if nothing is done now. One third of the world’s population that living in developing nations, carry a hidden tuberculosis (TB) bug.
Dr Faurholt Jepsen emphasizes that better international guidelines should be developed for a combined treatment of diabetes and tuberculosis patients as well as better diagnostic methods, which can cheaply and effectively diagnose diabetes among tuberculosis patients.