A new study led by PhD scholar Dr. Cheryl Kerama and researchers at the KAVI-Institute of Clinical Research has shed light on how tuberculosis (TB) may contribute to long-term metabolic and cardiovascular complications, even after successful treatment.
Published in the Journal of the Kenya Association of Physicians (JOKAP), the research examined changes in glucose regulation among TB patients and identified potential biomarkers linked to future health risks.
The findings show that dysglycaemia, abnormal blood glucose levels, was most pronounced at the point of TB diagnosis. While some patients experienced improvement during treatment, a significant number continued to exhibit persistent or worsening glucose abnormalities.
Notably, levels of Interleukin-18 (IL-18), an inflammatory biomarker, remained elevated even after completion of TB treatment. This was observed even in some patients whose HbA1c levels had returned to normal, pointing to underlying, “hidden” cardiovascular risk that standard tests may not detect.
These findings suggest that TB may trigger lasting metabolic changes, increasing the risk of long-term complications such as cardiovascular disease. The persistence of IL-18 highlights its potential as a useful biomarker for identifying patients who may benefit from continued monitoring and care beyond standard TB treatment.
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