Cost-effectiveness of latent tuberculosis screening before steroid therapy for idiopathic nephrotic syndrome in children.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Guidelines differ on screening recommendations for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) prior to immunosuppressive therapy. We aimed to determine the most cost-effective LTBI screening strategy before long-term steroid therapy in a child with new-onset idiopathic nephrotic syndrome.

Study design

Markov state-transition model.

Setting & population

5-year-old boy with new-onset idiopathic nephrotic syndrome.

Model, perspective, & timeframe

The Markov model took a societal perspective over a lifetime horizon.

Intervention

3 strategies were compared: universal tuberculin skin testing (TST), targeted screening using a risk-factor questionnaire, and no screening. A secondary model included the newer interferon γ release assays (IGRAs), requiring onl

SUBMITTER: Laskin BL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3827973 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature