Shortened first-line TB treatment in Brazil: potential cost savings for patients and health services.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Shortened treatment regimens for tuberculosis are under development to improve treatment outcomes and reduce costs. We estimated potential savings from a societal perspective in Brazil following the introduction of a hypothetical four-month regimen for tuberculosis treatment.

Methods

Data were gathered in ten randomly selected health facilities in Rio de Janeiro. Health service costs were estimated using an ingredient approach. Patient costs were estimated from a questionnaire administered to 126 patients. Costs per visits and per case treated were analysed according to the type of therapy: self-administered treatment (SAT), community- and facility-directly observed treatment (community-DOT, facility-DOT).

Results

During the last 2 months of treatment, the

SUBMITTER: Trajman A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4722708 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature