BACKGROUND: The epidemic of diabetes mellitus (DM) poses a threat for global tuberculosis (TB) control.  
OBJECTIVE: This study attempts to assess the value of screening for diabetes in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and reviews the disease burden, clinical and radiographic manifestations,rates of sputum smear positivity and time to conversion,treatment outcomes and fatality rates,in the local setting.
METHODS: This is a prospective observational cohort study involving adults diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis at the PTSI TB DOTS out-patient clinic, regardless of sputum-smear status, from July 2011-November 2012. A diabetes screening tool was used and patients were screened for presence of DM. Treatment outcomes were also determined.
RESULTS: Of the 38 patients enrolled, seven (18.4%,95% confidence interval 7.7-34.3) were diagnosed with DM. This is higher than the estimated 12.9% in 2010 and 14.4% projected estimate in 2030 in our country by a report of WHO as well as in reported prevalence of DM among patients with PTB in large studies done in China (12.4%) and India (13%). There was no significant difference noted in the basic profile,clinical and radiographic presentation,sputum conversion and treatment outcomes among patients with DM and without DM who were being treated for PTB.
CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the value and feasibility of screening for DM among patients with PTB. Although the findings of this study are consistent with most of previous similar studies, the estimate on the true prevalence of DM may not be very accurate because of the small sample size. Hence,a multi-center study with a larger sample size must be conducted to more accurately measure the true prevalence of DM among patients with TB and to determine associations of various clinical and radiographic presentations and clinical outcomes.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Confidence Intervals ; Diabetes Mellitus ; India ; Outpatients ; Prevalence ; Prospective Studies ; Sample Size ; Sputum ; Treatment Outcome ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

BACKGROUND: 85% of cases of Superior Vena Cava Obstruction (SVCO) are caused by malignancy. Radiation therapy (RT) is an effective therapeutic modality for SVCO localized in the thorax, especially for obstructive causes.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical profile and outcomes of patients who received radiation treatment at UP-PGH from January 1, 2009 - December 31, 2001.

METHODS: Records of patients with SVCO were reviewed. The patient's demographic profiles were collected. Outcomes were labaled as recovered, improved, not improved and died based on standard definitions.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective, descriptive study.

STUDY SETTING: Philippine General Hospital

STUDY POPULATION: UP-PGH patients with SVCO from 2009-2011.

RESULTS: The majority of the referrals were from general medicine (50%) and the most common symptom was dyspnea (73%); however, it took the patients 2-4 weeks from the onset of symptoms to seek consult. 36% of patients had lung adenocarcinoma with disseminated disease at diagnosis. The majority (73%) showed symptomatic response after receiving the SVC dose.

CONCLUSION: The importance of multidisciplinary approach to patient care cannot be overemphasized. Improvement in signs and symptoms, particularly with that of dyspnea, was noted in 72.5% of patients after receiving radiation therapy. Of the 8 patients who followed up for completion therapy, 5/8 of them reported significant improvement.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Adenocarcinoma Of Lung ; Superior Vena Cava Syndrome ; Hospitals, General ; Lung Neoplasms ; Adenocarcinoma ; Patient Care ; Thorax ; Dyspnea