Articles

Comparative Economic Burden of Tuberculosis Patients with and Without Diabetes Mellitus in Kupang City, Indonesia: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study

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Background: Tuberculosis and diabetes mellitus are major public health problems with a well-recognized bidirectional relationship. Diabetes mellitus increases the risk of active tuberculosis, while tuberculosis may worsen glycemic control. This comorbidity may also increase household economic burden through higher non-medical expenses, productivity loss, and catastrophic health expenditure. Evidence comparing the economic burden of tuberculosis patients with and without diabetes mellitus in Kupang City remains limited.

Objective: To compare the economic burden between tuberculosis patients without diabetes mellitus and tuberculosis patients with diabetes mellitus in Kupang City, Indonesia, in 2025.

Methods: This comparative cross-sectional study included 86 respondents, consisting of 43 tuberculosis patients without diabetes mellitus and 43 tuberculosis patients with diabetes mellitus who were receiving outpatient treatment at 10 primary health centers in Kupang City.

Results: A significant difference in economic burden was observed between the two groups. The median total cost among tuberculosis patients without diabetes mellitus was IDR 255,000, whereas the median total cost among tuberculosis patients with diabetes mellitus was IDR 850,000. Direct non-medical costs and indirect costs were also higher in the tuberculosis-diabetes mellitus group. Catastrophic costs were significantly more frequent in the TB-DM group than in the TB non-DM group (44.2% vs. 20.9%; p = 0.021).

Conclusion: Diabetes mellitus significantly increases the economic burden among tuberculosis patients. Compared with tuberculosis patients without diabetes mellitus, those with tuberculosis and diabetes mellitus incur higher total costs, greater non-medical expenditures, and higher indirect costs. These findings support the need for integrated tuberculosis-diabetes services and stronger financial protection strategies for vulnerable patients.

Impact of HMPV on the Human Body

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This study is conducted to identify the grievousness that can be caused by the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV). The major purpose of conducting this study is to spread awareness about the virus. The means and mode of spreading and how it can be prevented from spreading. HMPV is highly contagious, and it is not easy to differentiate it from the common cold. With fast-moving technical advancement, the countries are getting more and more connected with each other. This is a boom in terms of learning and growing in mutual collaboration, but there is a dark side to it, too. Direct contact among a large number of individuals is taking place around the globe. If a person is infected by any contagious disease and not maintaining proper precautions can infect others coming in contact, the carelessness or the innocent unawareness will act like a never-ending chain of spreading the virus. The brief history of the virus and the pattern of the infection is pointed out in this study. Through this study, the major causes of contamination can be identified and how to prevent further spreading. The data used in the study are obtained from secondary data sources because of time limitations.

Risk Factor and Clinical Outcomes of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID -19) Patients in TAK Province, Thailand

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Objective: To describe the association of clinical characteristics, clinical progression, and outcome of COVID-19 patients in TAK province, Thailand
Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19 in Tak province, Thailand from June 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021.
Results: The statistical analysis was done on the records of 15,442 patients who underwent RT-PCR of SARS-CoV-2 detection at Tak province during the fourth wave of the outbreak. 53.9% of patients were diagnosed asymptomatic. The overall mortality rate among patients with COVID-19 in this study was 1.81%. Patients with ages over 60 years was associated with increased risk of pneumonia (aOR 5.16, 95% CI 4.52-5.89; P < 0.001) and death (aOR 22.09, 95% CI 12.66-38.53, P < 0.001). Myanmar were also significantly associated with pneumonia (aOR 1.15, 95% CI 1.00-1.33, P < 0.001) and death (aOR 1.99, 95% CI 1.44-2.78, P < 0.001). Chronic Kidney Disease (aOR 3.84, 95% CI 2.31-6.38, P < 0.001) and dyspnea (aOR 4.54, 95% CI 3.27-6.31, P < 0.001) were associated with increased odds of death as well as the presence of more than one comorbidity (aOR 2.87, 95% CI 1.99-4.14, P < 0.001). The previous receipt of vaccination regardless of partially (aOR 0.14, 95% CI 0.08-0 .27; P < 0.001) or fully vaccination (aOR 0.08, 95% CI 0.03-0.19; P < 0.001) was associated with lower odds of mortality. Conclusions: Determining high-risk COVID-19 infected patients can help in the design of appropriate measures and proper management strategies. Ongoing mass vaccination efforts is still an absolutely priority for Thai and non-Thai citizens as a human right to health.