Objective To improve the strategies of early diagnosis and treatment for diabetes mellitus complicated by tuberculosis via the study of the clinical features. Method A retrospective study was conducted on the 78 cases admitted into our hospital from Jan 2000 to Jun 2006.Results Most of the patients to be investigated showed nontypical clinical manifestations apart from long-term fever. And chest films often presented （accounted for 56.4 %） multi-lobular foci accompanied by caseous necrosis and cavity

less situated on the upper lung fields. Extrapulmonery tuberculosis represented 20.5 %. During the early stage misdiagnosis often occurred including lung cancer

pneumonia

dermal and osteoarticular pyogenic infection. Chemotherapy duration was long and the hypoglycemic agent effect was poor. Conclusion Early diagnosis plays a key role in the timely and effective treatment of the patients of diabetis mellitus complicated tuberculosis due to their nontypical clinical manifestations

severe conditions and rapid progression. Meanwhile

it is also crucial to control hyperglycemic and prevent anti-tuberculotic-induced hepatopathy.