Bold statement: TB and diabetes together form a global health crisis that demands immediate, coordinated action. The link between tuberculosis (TB) and diabetes mellitus (DM) is a critical intersection in global health, elevating both infection risk and negative treatment outcomes. Diabetes is a well-established risk factor for TB, making people more susceptible to infection and often complicating recovery. On top of that, TB patients who have uncontrolled high blood sugar—whether they previously had DM or develop stress hyperglycemia due to TB—face an increased likelihood of poorer TB outcomes. In response, the World Health Organization has recommended diabetes screening for TB patients since 2011 to catch and manage this comorbidity early.
A BMJ Global Health commentary argues for a new clinical concept: tuberculous hyperglycaemia. This idea mirrors gestational diabetes, which refers to high blood sugar during pregnancy, by describing hyperglycaemia driven by TB. Unlike gestational diabetes, tuberculous hyperglycaemia is typically reversible with successful TB treatment. Embracing this concept could transform TB care, improve patient outcomes, and promote stronger integration of TB and DM management on a global scale.
Further reading: the full BMJ Global Health commentary is available at https://gh.bmj.com/content/10/12/e019261.
Stay informed with TB updates through the TB CAB Weekly Newsletter (Issue #38, 12 December 2025) at https://mailchi.mp/c7948c776213/tb-cab-weekly-newsletter-38-2025?e=9cfc8b5c3b. This newsletter is produced by the Global TB Community Advisory Board (TB CAB) with support from Treatment Action Group (TAG) and the European AIDS Treatment Group (EATG). You can subscribe here: https://globaltbcab.us11.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=389a28e2dadc57faaeb892fb9&id=ae7bcd30bb.
