Diagnostic pathways and delay among tuberculosis patients in Stockholm, Sweden: a retrospective observational study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Asylum seekers in Sweden are offered tuberculosis (TB) screening at a voluntary post-arrival health examination. The role of this screening in improving the TB diagnostic pathway has not been previously evaluated. The aim of this study was to determine diagnostic pathways for active TB cases and compare diagnostic delays between different pathways.

Methods

Retrospective review of medical records of patients reported with active TB in Stockholm in 2015, using a structured and pre-coded form.

Results

Seventy-one percent of patients actively sought health care due to symptoms. As for source of referral to TB specialist clinic, 15% came from screening of eligible migrants, of whom the majority were asymptomatic. Among asylum seekers, 69% were identified through

SUBMITTER: Wikell A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6360687 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature