Elderly Patients with Tuberculosis Combined with Diabetes Mellitus: A Comprehensive Analysis of Lymphocyte Subpopulation Dynamics, Clinical Features, Drug Resistance and Disease Regression

Lymphocyte homeostasis is altered in PTB patients with comorbid DM, making them more susceptible to severe clinical manifestations and therapeutic outcomes. Notably, NK cells have been identified as key regulatory cells with a significant impact on prolonged treatment course and drug resistance. This study provides new ideas and methods for individualized treatment of PTB combined with DM in the elderly, which can help to optimize the treatment plan and improve the outcome and quality of life of patients.