Association Between Diabetes Mellitus and GeneXpert MTB/RIF Results in Suspected Tuberculosis Patients
Abstract
Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health problem worldwide, particularly in developing countries. Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is recognized as a risk factor that may increase susceptibility to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection due to impaired immune response. Molecular Rapid Test (Tes Cepat Molekuler/TCM) is currently used as the primary diagnostic method for detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This study aimed to determine the relationship between Diabetes Mellitus status and TCM examination results among suspected tuberculosis patients.
Methods: This study used an observational analytic design with a cross-sectional approach. Secondary data were obtained from medical records of suspected tuberculosis patients who underwent TCM examination at UPT Puskesmas Wonosari I, Gunungkidul Regency, during the period of 2022–2025. A total of 552 patients who met the inclusion criteria were included in this study using total sampling technique. Data were analyzed descriptively and continued with Fisher’s Exact Test with a significance level of 0.05.
Results: Of the 552 suspected tuberculosis patients, 50 patients (9.1%) had Diabetes Mellitus and 502 patients (90.9%) did not have Diabetes Mellitus. TCM examination showed 37 patients (6.7%) with MTB detected and 515 patients (93.3%) with MTB not detected. Among DM patients, 7 patients (14.0%) had positive TCM results, whereas among non-DM patients, 30 patients (6.0%) had positive TCM results. Fisher’s Exact Test showed a p-value of 0.066 (p>0.05), indicating no statistically significant relationship between Diabetes Mellitus status and TCM examination results.
Conclusion: Diabetes Mellitus status was not significantly associated with TCM examination results among suspected tuberculosis patients at UPT Puskesmas Wonosari I, Gunungkidul Regency. TCM remains an important diagnostic method for tuberculosis regardless of Diabetes Mellitus status.
