Title
Multicomponent Strategy with Decentralized Molecular Testing for Tuberculosis
Date Issued
23 December 2021
Access level
open access
Resource Type
journal article
Author(s)
Cattamanchi A.
Reza T.F.
Nalugwa T.
Adams K.
Nantale M.
Oyuku D.
Nabwire S.
Babirye D.
Turyahabwe S.
Tucker A.
Sohn H.
Ferguson O.
Thompson R.
Shete P.B.
Handley M.A.
Ackerman S.
Joloba M.
Davis J.L.
Dowdy D.W.
Fielding K.
Katamba A.
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Publisher(s)
Massachussetts Medical Society
Abstract
BACKGROUND Effective strategies are needed to facilitate the prompt diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis in countries with a high burden of the disease. METHODS We conducted a cluster-randomized trial in which Ugandan community health centers were assigned to a multicomponent diagnostic strategy (on-site molecular testing for tuberculosis, guided restructuring of clinic workflows, and monthly feedback of quality metrics) or routine care (on-site sputum-smear microscopy and referral-based molecular testing). The primary outcome was the number of adults treated for confirmed tuberculosis within 14 days after presenting to the health center for evaluation during the 16-month intervention period. Secondary outcomes included completion of tuberculosis testing, same-day diagnosis, and same-day treatment. Outcomes were also assessed on the basis of proportions. RESULTS A total of 20 health centers underwent randomization, with 10 assigned to each group. Of 10,644 eligible adults (median age, 40 years) whose data were evaluated, 60.1% were women and 43.8% had human immunodeficiency virus infection. The intervention strategy led to a greater number of patients being treated for confirmed tuberculosis within 14 days after presentation (342 patients across 10 intervention health centers vs. 220 across 10 control health centers; adjusted rate ratio, 1.56; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21 to 2.01). More patients at intervention centers than at control centers completed tuberculosis testing (adjusted rate ratio, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.21 to 2.82), received a same-day diagnosis (adjusted rate ratio, 1.89; 95% CI, 1.39 to 2.56), and received same-day treatment for confirmed tuberculosis (adjusted rate ratio, 2.38; 95% CI, 1.57 to 3.61). Among 706 patients with confirmed tuberculosis, a higher proportion in the intervention group than in the control group were treated on the same day (adjusted rate ratio, 2.29; 95% CI, 1.23 to 4.25) or within 14 days after presentation (adjusted rate ratio, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.06 to 1.40). CONCLUSIONS A multicomponent diagnostic strategy that included on-site molecular testing plus implementation supports to address barriers to delivery of high-quality tuberculosis evaluation services led to greater numbers of patients being tested, receiving a diagnosis, and being treated for confirmed tuberculosis.
Start page
2441
End page
2450
Volume
385
Issue
26
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Enfermedades infecciosas
Sistema respiratorio
Bioquímica, Biología molecular
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-85122080440
PubMed ID
Source
New England Journal of Medicine
ISSN of the container
00284793
Sponsor(s)
Supported by grants (R01 HL130192 and K12 HL138046) from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health.
Sources of information:
Directorio de Producción Científica
Scopus