Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major global health problem. A possible risk factor for TB is
diabetes (DM), which is predicted to increase dramatically over the next two decades,
particularly in low and middle income countries, where TB is widespread. This study aimed
to assess the strength of the association between TB and DM. We present a deterministic
model for TB in a community in order to determine the impact of DM in the spread of the
disease. The important mathematical features of the TB model are thoroughly investigated.
The epidemic threshold known as the basic reproduction number and equilibria for the model
are determined and stabilities analyzed. The model is numerically analyzed to assess the
impact of DM on the transmission dynamics of TB. We perform sensitivity analysis on the
key parameters that drive the disease dynamics in order to determine their relative
importance to disease transmission and prevalence. Numerical simulations suggest that DM
enhances the TB transmission and progression to active TB in a community. The results
suggest that there is a need for increased attention to intervention strategies such as
the chemoprophylaxis of TB latent individuals and treatment of active TB in people with
DM, which may include testing for suspected diabetes, improved glucose control, and
increased clinical and therapeutic monitoring in order to reduce the burden of the
disease.