title: Screening for tuberculosis and LTBI in diabetes patients, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia.
abstract: A retrospective cohort study was performed in Pohnpei, a small Pacific Island, to evaluate the feasibility and results of screening adult diabetes (DM) patients for tuberculosis (TB) and latent tuberculous infection (LTBI) using a symptom screen, tuberculin skin testing and chest radiography. Of 79 patients, 65 (82%) completed screening. Two (3%) patients with active TB and 16 (25%) with LTBI were referred for anti-tuberculosis treatment and isoniazid preventive therapy, respectively. It is feasible and worthwhile to screen diabetes patients for TB, but a number of changes are needed to improve both the screening process and the diagnostic yield.
authors.affiliation: Pohnpei State Department of Health Services, Kolonia, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia.
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Defang
authors.affiliation: Division of TB Elimination, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA ; TB Branch, Hawaii Department of Health, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Brostrom
authors.affiliation: Fiji National University, Suva, Fiji.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ram
authors.affiliation: Pohnpei State Department of Health Services, Kolonia, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.affiliation: Pohnpei State Department of Health Services, Kolonia, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia.
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Perman
keywords: Pacific Islands; bi-directional screening; diabetes mellitus; tuberculosis