Endocrine Dysfunctions in Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is considered one of the common illnesses in developing countries and is known to affect all classes of society. Though the subclinical endocrine dysfunction is common in subjects with tuberculosis, overt manifestations are very rare. The incidence of endocrine involvement in tuberculosis was high in the pre-antibiotic era but it has reduced to a large extent in the recent years [1]. However, it is advisable to keep vigil and high degree of suspicion for early diagnosis of endocrine dysfunction, as some of the deficiencies like adrenal dysfunction can lead to serious consequences. Also, there are diagnostic difficulties in subjects who are already on antitubercular therapy [ATT] due to several drug interactions affecting the peptide and steroid metabolism. For example, treatment of primary endocrine deficiency with glucocorticoids for adrenal insufficiency is known to predispose or reactive old foci of tuberculosis. Table 1 depicts guidelines for suspecting endocrine dysfunction is cases of pulmonary tuberculosis. Table 2 shows the effects of ATT on the endocrine system.