Early cost-effectiveness analysis of a novel rapid diagnostic test for tuberculosis in rural Philippine settings.

ABSTRACT: Tuberculosis disproportionately affects low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where gold standard molecular diagnostic assays like Xpert MTB/RIF are relatively frequently inaccessible. A novel rapid molecular diagnostic test (nLRDT), which can test tongue swab samples, and is more suitable for decentralised primary healthcare settings, has been developed and is currently undergoing preclinical validation. This study evaluated the early cost-effectiveness of this nLRDT vs. Xpert MTB/RIF for diagnosing pulmonary tuberculosis in rural Philippine primary healthcare settings. A hybrid decision tree and Markov model-based cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted from health provider and societal perspectives. Parameters were taken from relevant literature, national-level data, and expert op

SUBMITTER: Sargood A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12561941 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature