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Canadian Journal of Public Health = Revue Canadienne de Santé Publique logoLink to Canadian Journal of Public Health = Revue Canadienne de Santé Publique
. 2007 Jan 1;98(1):55–59. doi: 10.1007/BF03405386

The Relationship Between Diabetes and Tuberculosis in Saskatchewan

Comparison of Registered Indians and Other Saskatchewan People

Roland F Dyck 112,212,, Helena Klomp 112, Darcy D Marciniuk 112, Leonard Tan 212, Mary Rose Stang 312, Heather A Ward 112, Vernon H Hoeppner 112
PMCID: PMC6976255  PMID: 17278679

Abstract

Background

Saskatchewan Aboriginal people are experiencing epidemics of both type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and tuberculosis (TB). The purpose of this study was to determine if a relationship exists between diabetes and TB in Saskatchewan and to establish whether there is a difference in the degree of any association between Aboriginal and non- Aboriginal people.

Methods

Utilizing Saskatchewan Health databases, TB incidence (cases identified from 1986–2001) was compared between four subpopulations identified from 1991–1995: Registered Indians (RI) with and without diabetes, and other Saskatchewan people (OSKP) with and without diabetes.

Results

Diabetic women aged 20–59 years had higher average annual incidence rates of TB than non-diabetic women, but within-population rate ratios of TB in diabetic versus non-diabetic women were only significant in those aged 50–59 (2.7 [CI 1.28, 5.72] in RI and 3.9 [CI 1.58, 9.67] in OSKP). No other within-population diabetic subgroup had significantly higher rates of TB. The only male diabetic group that had a higher rate of TB were RI plus OSKP men aged 50–59 years. Overall, diabetes preceded TB in 87/111 individuals with both diseases (p<0.0001).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that T2DM is a predictor for TB in Saskatchewan women aged 20–59 but particularly in RI and OSKP women aged 50–59 years. This has implications for TB screening and prevention initiatives.

MeSH terms: Diabetes mellitus, tuberculosis, Indians, North American

Footnotes

Disclaimer: This study is based in part on non-identifiable data provided by the Saskatchewan Department of Health. The interpretations and conclusions contained herein do not necessarily represent those of the Government of Saskatchewan or the Saskatchewan Department of Health.

Funding: Supported by a grant from the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation.

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