Table 1.

Describing related systematics reviews and their findings on effects of TB on NCDs especially DM care and effects of NCDs and DM on TB treatment outcomes in low- to middle-income countries.

Title of the Systematic Review, first author, and publication year.	Brief findings and discussions of the Review
Diabetes among tuberculosis patients and its impact on tuberculosis treatment in South Asia: a systematic review and meta-analysis (Gautam, S, et al 2021).	This review found that TB-DM comorbid patients are at high risk of treatment failure and high risk of mortality, and that the prevalence of DM among TB patients is high in Asia (21%, 95% CI: 18.0, 23.0). Furthermore, authors recommend strategic planning and implementation of screening for DM among TB patients for early identification and starting management at early stage of both diseases.
Elements and Performance Indicators of Integrated Healthcare Programmes on Chronic Diseases in Six Countries in the Asia-Pacific Region: A Scoping Review (Pinter, KA, et al 2021).	In this scoping review, integration elements to healthcare, barriers and facilitators were identified. Authors found that many integration programmes are being implemented in Asia-Pacific region; however, most of these programmes lack evaluation plans and or reports to assess the effects and implementation indicators of the programmes.
Co-prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus and tuberculosis in low-income and middle-income countries: A systematic review (McMurry, H S, et al 2019).	Like the systematic review that was performed in South Asia, the results in this review showed a high prevalence of DM among TB patients with most studies reporting between 10% and 30%, while that of TB and PWDs ranged from 0.1% to 6.0%. With these findings, authors encourage more research on bidirectional screening and integrated chronic diseases management. Main limitations highlighted by the authors were huge diversity of study designs and diagnostic methods
Association between diabetes mellitus and multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis: evidence from a systematic review and meta-analysis (Tegegne, BS et al. 2018).	This systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated consistent evidence of a substantially increased risk of TB disease among people with DM (PWDs). This evidence was based on data from studies using different designs and reported from six continents. PWDs with uncontrolled blood glucose (measured by higher FBG or HbA1c) appeared to be at higher risk of active TB than patients with controlled DM.
The impact of diabetes on tuberculosis treatment outcomes: A systematic review (Baker MA, et al. 2011).	The study findings suggest that diabetes increases the risk of failure and death combined, death, and relapse among patients with tuberculosis. This study highlights a need for increased attention to treatment of tuberculosis in people with diabetes (PWDs), which may include testing for suspected diabetes, improved glucose control, and increased clinical and therapeutic monitoring.
Bidirectional screening for tuberculosis and diabetes: a systematic review (Jeon CY, et al. 2010).	The findings support the evidence global high prevalence of TB among PWDs and vice versa.
Is there an effect of glucose-lowering treatment on incidence and prognosis of tuberculosis? A systematic review(Jørgensen & Faurholt-Jepsen 2014).	Authors in this review concluded that although numerous studies have reported adverse treatment response; that is morbidity, mortality, in patients with hyperglycemia and/or diabetes; there is still no evidence on the effect of glucose-lowering drugs on tuberculosis incidence or during anti-tuberculosis treatment. Despite this, the WHO and the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases state that “Although there are no published trials assessing if improved glucose control reduces the risk of adverse TB treatment outcomes, the existing evidence indirectly suggests that optimized management of diabetes in TB patients, including early diagnosis, optimized treatment and health education, and clinical and therapeutic monitoring, would improve TB treatment outcomes and reduce the risk of recurrent TB.”
Epidemiology and interaction of diabetes mellitus and tuberculosis and challenges for care: a review (Harries AD, et al. 2013).	This review reports that in LMICs, and especially in Asia, the DM epidemic is growing rapidly. There is now strong evidence that there is an important association between DM and TB and that this association results in poor TB treatment outcomes. Undiagnosed, inadequately treated and poorly controlled DM appears to be a much greater threat to TB care and prevention than previously realized, and this needs to be tackled. The situation is critical in poor countries.
Tuberculosis comorbidity with communicable and non-communicable diseases: integrating health services and control efforts (Marais BJ, et al. 2013).	Authors in the review conclude that destructive competition between communicable and non-communicable diseases must be avoided for the limited funds available for health services. Integrated solutions should seek to unlock potential commonalities and synergies and optimize scarce resources. Efficient integration of tuberculosis services with those for non-communicable and other communicable diseases should be a priority while maintaining some vertical elements to secure essential functions, such as drug supply, monitoring and assessment, and national surveillance, to a point at which a small central team could oversee the national tuberculosis programme.

Abbreviations: NCDs: Non-communicable Diseases, DM: Diabetes mellitus, TB: Tuberculosis