Modelling the impact of chest X-ray and alternative triage approaches prior to seeking a tuberculosis diagnosis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Tuberculosis is a major challenge to health in the developing world. Triage prior to diagnostic testing could potentially reduce the volume of tests and costs associated with using the more accurate, but costly, Xpert MTB/RIF assay. An effective methodology to predict the impact of introducing triage prior to tuberculosis diagnostic testing could be useful in helping to guide policy.

Methods

The development and use of operational modelling to project the impact on case detection and health system costs of alternative triage approaches for tuberculosis, with or without X-ray, based on data from Porto Alegre City, Brazil.

Results

Most of the triage approaches modelled without X-ray were predicted to provide no significant benefit. One approach based on an art

SUBMITTER: Shazzadur Rahman AAM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6348624 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature