[Changes in carbohydrate metabolism in patients with tuberculosis].

The function of the pancreatic incretory apparatus was studied in 51 patients with primary active pulmonary tuberculosis by analysing the blood levels of immunoreactive insulin, C peptide and glucose before and after glucagon stimulation. A pronounced enhanced insulin secretion was found. At the same time signs of relative insulin deficiency appeared as persistent hyperglycemia and apparently delayed concentration peaks of immunoreactive insulin and C peptide. Prednisolone therapy caused a noticeable, but rapidly reversible aggravation of relative insulin deficiency. Relative insulin deficiency coupled with the higher secretory function of the pancreatic insular apparatus which decreased its functional reserves with increases in the disease duration is likely to underlie the more frequent development of severe diabetes mellitus in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.