S57Diabetes and latent tuberculosis infection: nested case-control study within the PREDICT cohort

• Published in: Thorax Vol. 68; no. Suppl 3; pp. A31 - A32
• Main Authors: Jackson, C, Southern, J, Whitworth, H S, Scott, M, Tsou, C-Y, Sridhar, S, Nikolayevskyy, V, Lipman, M, Sitch, A, Deeks, J, Griffiths, C, Drobniewski, F, Lalvani, A, Abubakar, I
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.12.2013
• Subjects: Mycobacterium
• ISSN: 0040-6376
• DOI: 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2013-204457.64

BackgroundDiabetes is associated with an increased risk of tuberculosis disease, but it is unclear whether a similar association exists between diabetes and latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI).MethodsThe ongoing UK PREDICT (Prognostic Evaluation of Diagnostic IGRAs Consortium) cohort study aims to recruit 10,000 participants to assess the predictive values of interferon gamma release assays (IGRAs) for the development of active TB in recent entrants to the UK and contacts of active TB cases. We used a nested case-control design within the first 5000 recruits in this cohort, to investigate the association between diabetes and LTBI. Participants in PREDICT provide demographic, medical and social information, including any history of diabetes. LTBI is detected using the two commercially available IGRAs, Quantiferon Gold In-Tube and TSpot.TB. Cases were individuals who tested positive on either or both IGRAs; controls were negative on both assays (or negative on one and indeterminate on the other). Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios and adjust for potential confounders. Assuming a 5% diabetes prevalence, 1084 cases and 3252 controls would allow the detection of a 1.5-fold increase of LTBI with 80% power and 5% error.ResultsOverall, 1388/4730 (29%) had a positive IGRA. 286/4730 (6%) reported a history of diabetes. Amongst diabetic participants, 168 used insulin and/or oral hypoglycaemic medications and 25 reported control through diet alone (1 participant was being monitored only and for 92 the level of control was unknown). Univariate analysis found an association between diabetes and LTBI (OR = 1.45 [95% CI 1.13-1.86], p = 0.003). After adjustment for age, this association was no longer apparent (OR = 1.15 [95% CI 0.88-1.50], p = 0.30). Adjustment for other variables in addition to age (sex, ethnicity, birthplace outside the UK, previous contact with a TB case, or previous TB diagnosis) did not substantially change the estimated age-adjusted OR relating diabetes to LTBI. Similar results were obtained when the analysis was restricted to contacts. ConclusionsIn the current PREDICT cohort, diabetes does not appear to be associated with LTBI after adjustment for age. The relationship between diabetes and TB disease observed elsewhere may reflect an increased risk of disease rather than infection.