Cost-effectiveness of QuantiFERON testing before initiation of biological therapy in inflammatory bowel disease.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Anti-tumor necrosis factor α drugs are known to reactivate latent tuberculosis (TB). Current guidelines recommend screening for latent tuberculosis infection, with either tuberculin skin test (TST) or interferon gamma release assays such as QuantiFERON-TB Gold (QFT-G). Given the high rates of anergy to TST among immunosuppressed inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients, there is considerable interest in evaluating the superiority of interferon gamma release assays over TST in this patient population to diagnose latent tuberculosis infection. We compared the performance of TST and QFT-G for screening latent TB among immunosuppressed IBD patients based on prevalence, mortality risk from reactivation TB, and costs.

Methods

A decision analytical model was constructed

SUBMITTER: Swaminath A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3889121 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature