Is it worth screening quarry workers for TB infection in high-incidence areas? A cost-benefit analysis

• Tipo: Artigo em Revista Científica Internacional
• Data: 2024

Autores

Sousa, S (Autor) Outra; Carvalho, C (Autor) Outra; Santos, S (Autor) Outra; Alves, CM (Autor) Outra; Gonçalves, G (Autor) Outra; Álvaro Almeida (Autor) FEP; Duarte, R (Autor) Outra

Revista

Título: Respiratory Medicine

Vol. 234

ISSN: 0954-6111

Editora: Elsevier

Indexação

ISI Web of Knowledge - 1 Citação

Scopus - 1 Citação

Outras Informações

ID Authenticus: P-016-Z9Q

DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2024.107807

Abstract (EN): Background: Tuberculosis (TB) infection screening of high-risk groups is an important strategy for achieving End TB targets. A TB infection screening program was implemented for quarry workers from a Portuguese highincidence area in 2018-2022. We aimed to calculate the cost-benefit of the screening program from the societal perspective. Methods: We calculated medical and non-medical direct and indirect screening costs and compared them with the cost savings from averted cases of TB disease. We estimated the number of potentially averted TB disease cases based on the risk of progression of TB infection to TB disease found in the literature. Results: During the screening program, 997 workers were screened. TB infection was diagnosed in 215 workers, 150 of those initiated preventive treatment. Screening program total costs were 136,295. Twenty-nine TB cases were potentially prevented, what would have costed 152,386. Savings of 16,091 were obtained (4516, 40898, and -29322 from the workers, employers, and NHS, respectively). Conclusions: The monetary benefit of a TB infection screening program directed to quarry workers in a highincidence area was greater than its cost. Companies and workers saved substantially more money. TB infection tests that are better predictors of progression to TB disease could reduce NHS costs.

Idioma: Inglês

Tipo (Avaliação Docente): Científica

Nº de páginas: 5