Diabetes and pre-diabetes in tuberculosis patients in western Kenya using point-of-care glycated haemoglobin.

Setting: The tuberculosis (TB) clinics of five health facilities in western Kenya. Objective: To assess the prevalence and associated determinants of diabetes mellitus (DM) and pre-diabetes hyperglycaemia among adult TB patients using point-of-care DCA Vantage glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) devices. Design: This was a cross-sectional study. Results: Of 454 patients, 272 (60%) were males, the median age was 34 years, 175 (39%) were co-infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and the median duration of anti-tuberculosis treatment was 8 weeks; 180 (40%) patients reported at least one classical symptom suggestive of DM. The prevalence of DM (HbA1c ⩾6.5%) was 5.1% (95%CI 3.2-7.5), while that of pre-diabetes (HbA1c 5.7-6.4%) was 37.5% (95%CI 33.1-42.2). The number needed to screen (NNS) was 19.6 for DM and 2.7 for pre-diabetes. Combined, 42.6% (95%CI 38.0-47.3) of the patients had either pre-diabetes or DM (NNS 2.3). Seven of the 23 patients with DM knew their prior DM status. Higher rates of DM were associated with age ⩾40 years and a family history of DM, but not obesity, type of TB, HIV status or suggestive symptoms. Conclusions: High rates of pre-diabetes and DM were found in adult TB patients. This study supports the need for routine screening of all patients with TB for DM in Kenya.

Contexte: Centres tuberculose (TB) de cinq structures de santé dans l'Ouest du Kenya.Objectif: Evaluer la prévalence et les déterminants associés du diabète (DM) et de l'hyperglycémie pré-diabète chez des patients adultes atteints de TB grâce aux appareils DCA Vantage de dosage d'hémoglobine glyquée (HbA1c) utilisés sur place.Schéma: Une étude transversale.Résultats: Sur 454 patients, 272 (60%) ont été des hommes, leur âge médian a été de 34 ans et 175 (39%) ont été co-infectés par le virus de l'immunodéficience humaine (VIH) ; la durée médiane du traitement de la TB a été de 8 semaines et 180 (40%) patients ont fait état d'au moins un symptôme classique suggérant un DM. La prévalence du DM (HbA1c ⩾ 6,5%) a été de 5,1% (IC95% 3,2­7,5) tandis que celle du pré-diabète (HbA1c 5,7­6,4%) a été de 37,5% (IC95% 33,1­422). Le nombre de dépistages requis (NNS) a été de 19,6 pour diagnostiquer un DM et de 2,7 pour un pré-diabète. En combinant les deux, 42,6% (IC95% 38,0­47,3) des patients avaient soit un pré-diabète soit un DM (NNS 2,3). Sept des 23 patients atteints de DM étaient au courant de leur statut. Des taux de DM plus élevés ont été associés avec un âge ⩾ 40 ans et des antécédents de DM dans la famille, mais pas avec l'obésité, le type de TB, le statut du VIH ou des symptômes suggestifs du VIH.Conclusions: Des taux élevés de pré-diabète et de DM ont été découverts chez des patients TB adultes. Cette étude est en faveur du dépistage de routine du DM chez tous les patients atteints de TB au Kenya.

Marco de referencia: Los consultorios de atención de la tuberculosis (TB) en cinco establecimientos de salud en el occidente de Kenya.Objetivo: Evaluar la prevalencia de diabetes (DM) e hiperglucemia prediabética y los factores determinantes asociados en los pacientes adultos con diagnóstico de TB, mediante la utilización de dispositivos de diagnóstico (DCA Vantage) que determinan la glucohemoglobina (HbA1c) en el lugar de atención.Método: Un estudio transversal.Resultados: De los 454 pacientes, 272 fueron de sexo masculino (60%), la mediana de la edad fue 34 años, 175 (39%) sufrían coinfección por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH), la mediana de la duración del tratamiento antituberculoso fue 8 semanas y 180 pacientes notificaron por lo menos un síntoma patognomónico de DM (40%). La prevalencia de DM (HbA1c ⩾ 6,5%) fue 5,1% (IC 95% 3,2­7,5) y la prevalencia de pre-diabetes (HbA1c 5,7­6,4%) fue 37,5% (IC95% 33,1­42,2). El número de pacientes que es necesario cribar (NNC) para detectar un caso de DM fue 19,6 y 2,7 para un caso de prediabetes. Combinados, el 42,6% de los pacientes presentaba ya sea prediabetes o DM (NNC 2,3; IC95% 38,0­47,3). Siete de los 23 pacientes con DM conocían ya su diagnóstico. Las tasas más altas de DM se asociaron con una edad de 40 años o más y el antecedente familiar de DM, pero no con la obesidad, el tipo de TB, la situación frente al VIH ni la presencia de síntomas indicativos.Conclusión: Se encontraron altas tasas de prediabetes y DM en los pacientes adultos con diagnóstico de TB. El presente estudio respalda la práctica de la detección sistemática de la DM en los pacientes con TB en Kenya.

Describing the profile of patients on concurrent rifampin and warfarin therapy in western Kenya: a case series.

BACKGROUND: Rifampicin's ability to induce hepatic enzymes is responsible for causing a clinically significant drug interaction with warfarin. Little data exists to guide clinicians on managing this interaction, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa where many patients are exposed to this combination due to a higher burden of tuberculosis. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the case series is to provide insight to practicing clinicians of the unique dynamics of this drug interaction in resource-constrained settings. The case series will provide details on commonly encountered scenarios and the dosage adjustments required to maintain a therapeutic INR. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted of patients attending the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital anticoagulation clinic in Eldoret, Kenya. Patients were included if they had a history of concurrent rifampicin and warfarin therapy and a minimum follow up of 2 months. Descriptive statistics were used to explain the demographic characteristics, time to therapeutic INR and average weekly warfarin dose. The inference on proportions test was conducted to compare the time in the therapeutic range (TTR) for patients on concurrent rifampicin to the rest of the patients not receiving rifampicin in the clinic. RESULTS: Of the 350 patient charts evaluated, 10 met the inclusion criteria. The median percentage increase of the weekly warfarin dose from baseline was 15.7%. For the patients in this analysis, the median TTR was 47%. DISCUSSION: Patients on concurrent therapy should be rigorously monitored with regular INR checks and warfarin dosage adjustments. Empiric dosage adjustments of warfarin should be avoided but patient characteristics can aid in understanding the alterations seen in INR.

Prevalence of food insecurity in patients with diabetes in western Kenya.

AIMS: To determine the characteristics of patients with diabetes who reported food insecurity at three diabetes clinics in western Kenya. METHODS: This study includes routinely collected demographic data at the first presentation of patients with diabetes at clinics in western Kenya from 1 January 2006 to 24 September 2011. A validated questionnaire was used to assess food insecurity with descriptive and comparative statistics being used to analyse the food-secure and food-insecure populations. RESULTS: The number of patients presenting to these clinics who were food-secure and those who were food-insecure was 1179 (68.0%) and 554 (32.0%), respectively. Comparative analysis shows a statistically significant difference in weight, BMI, the presence of a caretaker, and use of insulin between the two groups. These variables were lower in the food-insecure group. The overall assessment of the clinic population revealed an abnormally high mean HbA1c concentration of 81 mmol/mol (9.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the widely recognized contribution of caloric over-nutrition to the development of diabetes, this study highlights the high prevalence of food insecurity amongst patients with diabetes in rural, resource-constrained settings. Other factors, such as the lower prevalence of obesity, poor glucose control, challenges in the use of insulin because of the risk of hypoglycaemia, and varying subtypes of diabetes in this population, point to the need for additional research in understanding the aetiology, pathophysiology and optimum management of this condition, as well as understanding the effects of enhancing food security.

Language in tuberculosis services: can we change to patient-centred terminology and stop the paradigm of blaming the patients?

The words 'defaulter', 'suspect' and 'control' have been part of the language of tuberculosis (TB) services for many decades, and they continue to be used in international guidelines and in published literature. From a patient perspective, it is our opinion that these terms are at best inappropriate, coercive and disempowering, and at worst they could be perceived as judgmental and criminalising, tending to place the blame of the disease or responsibility for adverse treatment outcomes on one side-that of the patients. In this article, which brings together a wide range of authors and institutions from Africa, Asia, Latin America, Europe and the Pacific, we discuss the use of the words 'defaulter', 'suspect' and 'control' and argue why it is detrimental to continue using them in the context of TB. We propose that 'defaulter' be replaced with 'person lost to follow-up'; that 'TB suspect' be replaced by 'person with presumptive TB' or 'person to be evaluated for TB'; and that the term 'control' be replaced with 'prevention and care' or simply deleted. These terms are non-judgmental and patient-centred. We appeal to the global Stop TB Partnership to lead discussions on this issue and to make concrete steps towards changing the current paradigm.

Important co-morbidity in patients with diabetes mellitus in three clinics in Western Kenya.

SETTING: Diabetes clinics in three hospitals in Western Kenya: Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital and two associated district hospitals. OBJECTIVE: To determine the proportion of diabetes patients with a history of tuberculosis (  TB), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV  ) infection and tobacco smoking. DESIGN: A descriptive study using routinely collected data from patient records in the three diabetes clinics. RESULTS: Of 1376 patients analyzed, 750 (55%) were female. The mean age of the patients in the clinics was 53.5 years (95%CI 52.2-54.8), with an average duration of diabetes of 8.1 years (95%CI 7.6-8.7). Of all patients, 5.6% reported a history of TB, similar to the frequency about 20 years earlier (1990) in Tanzania. Only 30% of the patients reported knowing their HIV status; 6% were HIV-positive. A history of tobacco smoking was reported by 3.8% of the patients. CONCLUSION: The HIV epidemic does not seem to have significantly changed the relationship between TB and diabetes mellitus (DM) in this cohort of diabetes patients. The frequency of HIV and TB in this special population was comparable to that in the general population, and only a small proportion of patients reported a history of tobacco smoking.