MEDICA (International Medical Scientific Journal)
Vol. 8 No. 5 (2026): MEDICA (International Medical Scientific Journal)

Association Between 2-Hour Postprandial Blood Glucose Levels and Acid Fast Bacilli Positivity

Azhari Muslim (Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Poltekkes Kemenkes Tanjungkarang, Bandar Lampung City, Lampung, Indonesia)
Karbito Karbito (Department of Environmental Health, Poltekkes Kemenkes Tanjungkarang, Bandar Lampung City, Lampung, Indonesia)
Hardono Hardono (Master of Nursing Program, Universitas Aisyah Pringsewu, Pringsewu Regency, Lampung, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
31 May 2026

Abstract

Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) and hyperglycemia have a bidirectional relationship, whereby impaired glucose metabolism can weaken cellular immunity and potentially increase the bacterial burden, resulting in a higher degree of acid-fast bacilli (AFB) positivity. Although the 2-hour postprandial blood glucose (2h-PPBG) test is a practical indicator of glucose intolerance, its association with AFB positivity in pulmonary TB patients remains inadequately explored. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between 2h-PPBG levels and the degree of AFB positivity among patients with pulmonary TB. A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Sukamaju Community Health Center in 2024 involving 60 adult patients (≥18 years) diagnosed with pulmonary TB and diabetes mellitus. Participants were selected based on confirmed pulmonary TB diagnosis and complete blood glucose records. Data were analyzed using Spearman’s correlation test and binary logistic regression. The results demonstrated a strong and statistically significant positive correlation between 2h-PPBG levels and the degree of AFB positivity. Logistic regression analysis indicated that every 10 mg/dL increase in 2h-PPBG was associated with a 9.3% increase in the odds of higher AFB positivity. In conclusion, elevated 2h-PPBG levels were significantly associated with greater AFB positivity among patients with pulmonary TB and diabetes mellitus. These findings highlight the importance of routine glycemic screening and optimal glucose control as part of comprehensive tuberculosis management to reduce disease severity and improve treatment outcomes.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

medica

Publisher

Subject

Chemistry Dentistry Health Professions Immunology & microbiology Medicine & Pharmacology Nursing Public Health Veterinary

Description

MEDICA (International Medical Scientific Journal), with registered number ISSN 2622-6596 (Print), 2622-660X (Online) is an Open Access and peer-reviewed journal presenting timely research on all aspects of health that other media have not published. Managed by the Borneo Scientific Publishing, ...