Early health technology assessment of tongue swab for non-sputum based pulmonary tuberculosis diagnosis in Thailand.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Sputum-based diagnostic methods for pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) are challenging for patients who cannot produce sputum. Non-sputum-based approaches, such as tongue swab (TS), can address this gap. This study conducts an early Health Technology Assessment (HTA) of TS for PTB diagnosis in Thailand.

Methods

We conducted a landscape review, stakeholder consultation, early health economic modeling, and established a Target Product Profile (TPP). The landscape review included a comprehensive literature analysis to identify gaps and unmet needs in PTB diagnosis in Thailand. Stakeholder consultations gathered insights from TB experts to validate the information. An early health economic model evaluated the cost-effectiveness of two innovative strategies: tongue swab with

SUBMITTER: Mou L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11814696 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature