Clinical-epidemiological characterization of tuberculosis/diabetes comorbidity: Integrative review

Abstract

Objective: to summarize the scientific evidence from sociodemographic characteristics, epidemiological indicators of morbidity, and clinical manifestations of cases of tuberculosis associated with diabetes mellitus. Method: this integrative review searched for literature in the Scopus, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature, and Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online databases, and in the National Library of Medicine, Virtual Health Library Brazil and Scientific Electronic Library Online portals. The final sample comprised of sixteen studies. Results: the high prevalence of diabetes was found to contribute to the increase in tuberculosis cases. Patients with comorbidity tended to be older, female and with lower family income. Diabetes affects the severity of pulmonary tuberculosis adversely, causing more severe symptoms. Conclusion: the evidence found has the potential to guide health interventions and enable more effective health actions to be implemented.