Costs and cost-effectiveness of Gene Xpert compared to smear microscopy for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis using real-world data from Arsi zone, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Early diagnosis and treatment are one of the key strategies of tuberculosis control globally, and there are strong efforts in detecting and treating tuberculosis cases in Ethiopia. Smear microscopy examination has been a routine diagnostic test for pulmonary tuberculosis diagnosis in resource-constrained settings for decades. Recently, many countries, including Ethiopia, are scaling up the use of Gene Xpert without the evaluation of the cost and cost-effectiveness implications of this strategy. Therefore, this study evaluated the cost and cost-effectiveness of Gene Xpert (MTB/RIF) and smear microscopy tests to diagnosis tuberculosis patients in Ethiopia. METHODS: We compared the costs and cost-effectiveness of tuberculosis diagnosis using smear microscopy and Gene Xpert among 1332 patients per intervention in the Arsi zone. We applied combinations of top-down and bottom-up costing approaches. The costs were estimated from the health providers' perspective within one year (2017-2018). We employed "cases detected" as an effectiveness measure, and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was calculated by dividing the changes in cost and change in effectiveness. All costs and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio were reported in 2018 US$. RESULTS: The unit cost per test for Gene Xpert was $12.9 whereas it is $3.1 for AFB smear microscopy testing. The cost per TB case detected was $77.9 for Gene Xpert while it was $55.8 for the smear microscopy method. The cartridge kit cost accounted for 42% of the overall Gene Xpert's costs and the cost of the reagents and consumables accounted for 41.3% ($1.3) of the unit cost for the smear microscopy method. The ICER for the Gene Xpert strategy was $20.0 per tuberculosis case detected. CONCLUSION: Using Gene Xpert as a routine test instead of standard care (smear microscopy) can be potentially cost-effective. In the cost scenario analysis, the price of the cartridge, the number of tests performed per day, and the life span of the capital equipment were the drivers of the unit cost of the Gene Xpert method. Therefore, Gene Xpert can be a part of the routine TB diagnostic testing strategy in Ethiopia.

The economic burden of tuberculosis in Sistan: a high-risk region in Iran.

INTRODUCTION: To estimate the economic burden of tuberculosis treatment in Sistan, the region with the highest number of tuberculosis cases in Iran. METHODS: All patients with smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis who had contracted tuberculosis in 2018 and successfully completed their treatment were interviewed. RESULTS: Ninety patients with a mean age of 57 ± 18 years were interviewed. Most of them were women (58%), housewives (57%) and resided in rural areas (84%). The mean cost of treatment for tuberculosis was estimated as 6800 USD per patient. Direct costs were 87% of the total cost. Twenty-two patients lost an average income of 530 USD (8514590 rials) during treatment. The results showed the significant correlation of direct and indirect costs with sex, age, place of residence and education (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: It appears essential to improve social protection and implement interventions to promote knowledge in rural areas.

Estimating Catastrophic Costs due to Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Bangladesh.

To eliminate TB from the country by the year 2030, the Bangladesh National Tuberculosis (TB) Program is providing free treatment to the TB patients since 1993. However, the patients are still to make Out-of-their Pocket (OOP) payment, particularly before their enrollment Directly Observed Treatment Short-course (DOTS). This places a significant economic burden on poor-households. We, therefore, aimed to estimate the Catastrophic Health Expenditure (CHE) due to TB as well as understand associated difficulties faced by the families when a productive family member age (15-55) suffers from TB. The majority of the OOP expenditures occur before enrolling in. We conducted a cross-sectional study using multistage sampling in the areas of Bangladesh where Building Resources Across Communities (BRAC) provided TB treatment during June 2016. In total, 900 new TB patients, aged 15-55 years, were randomly selected from a list collected from BRAC program. CHE was defined as the OOP payments that exceeded 10% of total consumption expenditure of the family and 40% of total non-food expenditure/capacity-to-pay. Regular and Bayesian simulation techniques with 10,000 replications of re-sampling with replacement were used to examine robustness of the study findings. We also used linear regression and logit model to identify the drivers of OOP payments and CHE, respectively. The average total cost-of-illness per patient was 124 US$, of which 68% was indirect cost. The average CHE was 4.3% of the total consumption and 3.1% of non-food expenditure among the surveyed households. The poorest quintile of the households experienced higher CHE than their richest counterpart, 5% vs. 1%. Multiple regression model showed that the risk of CHE increased among male patients with smear-negative TB and delayed enrolling in the DOTS. Findings suggested that specific groups are more vulnerable to CHE who needs to be brought under innovative safety-net schemes.

Estimating Cost Functions for Resource Allocation Using Transmission Models: A Case Study of Tuberculosis Case Finding in South Africa.

OBJECTIVE: Cost functions linked to transmission dynamic models are commonly used to estimate the resources required for infectious disease policies. We present a conceptual and empirical approach for estimating these functions, allowing for nonconstant marginal costs. We aim to expand on the current approach which commonly assumes linearity of cost over scale. METHODS: We propose a theoretical framework adapted from the field of transport economics. We specify joint functions of production of services within a disease-specific program. We expand these functions to include qualitative insights of program expansion patterns. We present the difference in incremental total costs between an approach assuming constant unit costs and alternative approaches that assume economies of scale, scope and homogeneous or heterogeneous facility recruitment into the programme during scale-up. We illustrate the framework's application in tuberculosis, using secondary data from the literature and routine reporting systems in South Africa. RESULTS: Economies of capacity and scope substantially change cost estimates over time. Cost data requirements for the proposed approach included standardized and disaggregated unit costs (for a limited number of outputs) and information on the facilities network available to the program. CONCLUSIONS: The defined functional form will determine the magnitude and shape of costs when outputs and coverage are increasing. This in turn will impact resource allocation decisions. Infectious diseases modelers and economists should use transparent and empirically based cost models for analyses that inform resource allocation decisions. This framework describes a general approach for developing these models.

Costs incurred by patients with drug-susceptible pulmonary tuberculosis in semi-urban and rural settings of Western India.

BACKGROUND: India reports the highest number of tuberculosis (TB) cases worldwide. Poverty has a dual impact as it increases the risk of TB and exposes the poor to economic hardship when they develop TB. Our objective was to estimate the costs incurred by patients with drug-susceptible TB in Bhavnagar (western India) using an adapted World Health Organization costing tool. METHODS: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study of adults, notified in the public sector and being treated for drug-susceptible pulmonary TB during January-June 2019, in six urban and three rural blocks of Bhavnagar region, Gujarat state, India. The direct and indirect TB-related costs, as well as patients' coping strategies, were assessed for the overall care of TB till treatment completion. Catastrophic costs were defined as total costs > 20% of annual household income (excluding any amount received from cash transfer programs or borrowed). Median and interquartile range (IQR) was used to summarize patient costs. The median costs between any two groups were compared using the median test. The association between any two categorical variables was tested by the Pearson chi-squared test. All costs were described in US dollars (USD). During the study period, on average, one USD equalled 70 Indian Rupees. RESULTS: Of 458 patients included, 70% were male, 62% had no formal education, 71% lived in urban areas, and 96% completed TB treatment. The median (IQR) total costs were USD 8 (5-28), direct medical costs were USD 0 (0-0), direct non-medical costs were USD 3 (2-4) and indirect costs were USD 6 (3-13). Among direct non-medical costs, travel cost (median = USD 3, IQR: 2-4) to attend health facilities were the most prominent, whereas the indirect costs were mainly contributed by the patient's loss of wages (median = USD 3, IQR: 0-6). Four percent of patients faced catastrophic costs, 11% borrowed money to cover costs and 7% lost their employment; the median working days lost to TB was 30 (IQR: 15-45). A majority (88%) of patients received a median USD 43 (IQR: 41-43) as part of a cash transfer program for TB patients. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment completion was high and the costs incurred by TB patients were low in this setting. However, negative financial consequences occur even in low-cost settings. The role of universal cash transfer programs in such settings requires further study.

Cost analysis of smear microscopy and the Xpert assay for tuberculosis diagnosis: average turnaround time.

INTRODUCTION: Rapid and accurate tuberculosis detection is critical for improving patient diagnosis and decreasing tuberculosis transmission. Molecular assays can significantly increase laboratory costs; therefore, the average time and economic impact should be evaluated before implementing a new technology. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cost and average turnaround time of smear microscopy and Xpert assay at a university hospital. METHODS: The turnaround time and cost of the laboratory diagnosis of tuberculosis were calculated based on the mean cost and activity based costing (ABC). RESULTS: The average turnaround time for smear microscopy was 16.6 hours while that for Xpert was 24.1 hours. The Xpert had a mean cost of USD 17.37 with an ABC of USD 10.86, while smear microscopy had a mean cost of USD 13.31 with an ABC of USD 6.01. The sensitivity of smear microscopy was 42.9% and its specificity was 99.1%, while the Xpert assay had a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 96.7%. CONCLUSIONS: The Xpert assay has high accuracy; however, the turnaround time and cost of smear microscopy were lower than those of Xpert.

Catastrophic costs of tuberculosis care in a population with internal migrants in China.

BACKGROUND: The internal rural-to-urban migration is one of the major challenges for tuberculosis (TB) control in China. Patient costs incurred during TB diagnosis and treatment could cause access and adherence barriers, particularly among migrants. Here, we estimated the prevalence of catastrophic costs of TB patients and its associated factors in an urban population with internal migrants in China. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted to enroll culture-confirmed pulmonary TB patients in Songjiang district, Shanghai, between December 1, 2014, and December 31, 2015. Consenting participants completed a questionnaire, which collected direct and indirect costs before and after the diagnosis of TB. The catastrophic cost was defined as the annual expenses of TB care that exceeds 20% of total household disposable income. We used logistic regression to identify factors associated with catastrophic costs. RESULTS: Overall, 248 drug-susceptible TB patients were enrolled, 70% (174/248) of them were from migrants. Migrant patients were significantly younger compared to resident patients. The total costs were 25,824 ($3689) and 13,816 ($1974) Chinese Yuan (RMB) in average for resident and migrant patients, respectively. The direct medical cost comprised about 70% of the total costs among both migrant and resident patients. Overall, 55% (132 of 248) of patients experienced high expenses (>10% of total household income), and 22% (55 of 248) experienced defined catastrophic costs. The reimbursement for TB care only reduced the prevalence of catastrophic costs to 20% (49 of 248). Meanwhile, 52% (90 of 174) of the internal migrants had no available local health insurance. Hospitalizations, no available insurance, and older age (> 45-year-old) contributed significantly to the occurrence of catastrophic costs. CONCLUSIONS: The catastrophic cost of TB service cannot be overlooked, despite the free policy. Migrants have difficulties benefiting from health insurance in urban cities. Interventions, including expanded medical financial assistance, are needed to secure universal TB care.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Xpert MTB/RIF for Multi-Outcomes of Patients With Presumptive Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Thailand.

OBJECTIVES: The cost-effectiveness of screening adult patients for pulmonary tuberculosis is not clear. As such, this study aims to identify the cost-effectiveness between the Xpert MTB/RIF assay and the sputum acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear. Multi-outcomes were correct diagnosis, time to achieve correct diagnosis, and gain in quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). METHODS: A decision tree model was constructed to reveal a possible clinical pathway of tuberculosis diagnosis. The researchers used a clinical study to establish the probability of all clinical pathways for input into this model. The sample size was calculated following the correct diagnosis. Participants were randomly divided into 2 groups. A structural questionnaire and the Thai version of quality of life (EQ-5D-5L) were used for interviewing. RESULTS: The results showed that the time to achieve the correct diagnosis for the group using Xpert MTB/RIF was shorter than that for the group using the sputum AFB smear. Both the correct diagnosis and QALYs of the base case analysis presented the Xpert MTB/RIF method as dominant. A Monte Carlo model, which analyzed the Xpert MTB/RIF method, revealed that the average number of patients who were correctly diagnosed was 673, the QALYs were 945.85 years, and the total cost was $143 110.64. For the sputum AFB smear method, the average number who received a correct diagnosis was 592, the QALYs were 940.40 years, and the total cost was $196 666.84. Probabilistic and one-way sensitivity analysis confirmed that the Xpert MTB/RIF remained dominant. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide useful information for the National Strategic Plan to screen all adult patients for pulmonary tuberculosis.

Tracking total spending on tuberculosis by source and function in 135 low-income and middle-income countries, 2000-17: a financial modelling study.

BACKGROUND: Estimates of government spending and development assistance for tuberculosis exist, but less is known about out-of-pocket and prepaid private spending. We aimed to provide comprehensive estimates of total spending on tuberculosis in low-income and middle-income countries for 2000-17. METHODS: We extracted data on tuberculosis spending, unit costs, and health-care use from the WHO global tuberculosis database, Global Fund proposals and reports, National Health Accounts, the WHO-Choosing Interventions that are Cost-Effective project database, and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation Development Assistance for Health Database. We extracted data from at least one of these sources for all 135 low-income and middle-income countries using the World Bank 2019 definitions. We estimated tuberculosis spending by source and function for notified (officially reported) and non-notified tuberculosis cases separately and combined, using spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression to fill in for missing data and estimate uncertainty. We aggregated estimates of government, out-of-pocket, prepaid private, and development assistance spending on tuberculosis to estimate total spending in 2019 US$. FINDINGS: Total spending on tuberculosis in 135 low-income and middle-income countries increased annually by 3·9% (95% CI 3·0 to 4·6), from $5·7 billion (5·2 to 6·5) in 2000 to $10·9 billion (10·3 to 11·8) in 2017. Government spending increased annually by 5·1% (4·4 to 5·7) between 2000 and 2017, and reached $6·9 billion (6·5 to 7·5) or 63·5% (59·2 to 66·8) of all tuberculosis spending in 2017. Of government spending, $5·8 billion (5·6 to 6·1) was spent on notified cases. Out-of-pocket spending decreased annually by 0·8% (-2·9 to 1·3), from $2·4 billion (1·9 to 3·1) in 2000 to $2·1 billion (1·6 to 2·7) in 2017. Development assistance for country-specific spending on tuberculosis increased from $54·6 million in 2000 to $1·1 billion in 2017. Administrative costs and development assistance for global projects related to tuberculosis care increased from $85·3 million in 2000 to $576·2 million in 2017. 30 high tuberculosis burden countries of low and middle income accounted for 73·7% (71·8-75·8) of tuberculosis spending in 2017. INTERPRETATION: Despite substantial increases since 2000, funding for tuberculosis is still far short of global financing targets and out-of-pocket spending remains high in resource-constrained countries, posing a barrier to patient's access to care and treatment adherence. Of the 30 countries with a high-burden of tuberculosis, just over half were primarily funded by government, while others, especially lower-middle-income and low-income countries, were still primarily dependent on development assistance for tuberculosis or out-of-pocket health spending. FUNDING: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The NHS visitor and migrant cost recovery programme - a threat to health?

BACKGROUND: In April 2014 the UK government launched the 'NHS Visitor and Migrant Cost Recovery Programme Implementation Plan' which set out a series of policy changes to recoup costs from 'chargeable' (largely non-UK born) patients. In England, approximately 75% of tuberculosis (TB) cases occur in people born abroad. Delays in TB treatment increase risk of morbidity, mortality and transmission in the community. We investigated whether diagnostic delay has increased since the Cost Recovery Programme (CRP) was introduced. METHODS: There were 3342 adult TB cases notified on the London TB Register across Barts Health NHS Trust between 1st January 2011 and 31st December 2016. Cases with missing relevant information were excluded. The median time between symptom onset and treatment initiation before and after the CRP was calculated according to birthplace and compared using the Mann Whitney test. Delayed diagnosis was considered greater or equal to median time to treatment for all patients (79 days). Univariable logistic regression was used to manually select exposure variables for inclusion in a multivariable model to test the association between diagnostic delay and the implementation of the CRP. RESULTS: We included 2237 TB cases. Among non-UK born patients, median time-to-treatment increased from 69 days to 89 days following introduction of CRP (p < 0.001). Median time-to-treatment also increased for the UK-born population from 75.5 days to 89.5 days (p = 0.307). The multivariable logistic regression model showed non-UK born patients were more likely to have a delay in diagnosis after the CRP (adjOR 1.37, 95% CI 1.13-1.66, p value 0.001). CONCLUSION: Since the introduction of the CRP there has been a significant delay for TB treatment among non-UK born patients. Further research exploring the effect of policies restricting access to healthcare for migrants is urgently needed if we wish to eliminate TB nationally.

There's no such thing as a free TB diagnosis: Catastrophic TB costs in Urban Uganda.

Identifying and reducing TB-related costs is necessary for achieving the End TB Strategy's goal that no family is burdened with catastrophic costs. This study explores costs during the pre-diagnosis period and assesses the potential for using coping costs as a proxy indicator for catastrophic costs when comprehensive surveys are not feasible. Detailed interviews about TB-related costs and productivity losses were conducted with 196 pulmonary TB patients in Kampala, Uganda. The threshold for catastrophic costs was defined as 20% of household income. Multivariable regression analyses were used to assess the influence of patient characteristics on economic burden, and the positive predictive value (PPV) of coping costs was estimated. Over 40% of patients experienced catastrophic costs, with average (median) pre-diagnosis costs making up 30.6% (14.1%) of household income. Low-income status (AOR = 2.91, 95% CI = 1.29, 6.72), hospitalisation (AOR = 8.66, 95% CI = 2.60; 39.54), and coping costs (AOR = 3.84, 95% CI = 1.81; 8.40) were significantly associated with the experience of catastrophic costs. The PPV of coping costs as an indicator for catastrophic costs was estimated to be 73% (95% CI = 58%, 84%). TB patients endure a substantial economic burden during the pre-diagnosis period, and identifying households that experience coping costs may be a useful proxy measure for identifying catastrophic costs.

Genotype®MTBDRplus and Xpert®MTB/RIF in the diagnosis of tuberculosis and resistant tuberculosis: cost analysis in a tertiary referral hospital.

INTRODUCTION: The present study sought to assess the mean and activity based cost (ABC) of the laboratory diagnosis for tuberculosis through the application of conventional and molecular techniques-Xpert®MTB/RIF and Genotype®MTBDRplus-in a tertiary referral hospital in Brazil. METHODS: The mean cost and ABC formed the basis for the cost analysis of the TB laboratory diagnosis. RESULTS: The mean cost and ABC were US$ 4.00 and US$ 3.24, respectively, for a bacilloscopy; US$ 6.73 and US$ 5.27 for a Lowenstein-Jensen (LJ) culture; US$ 105.42 and US$ 76.56 for a drug sensitivity test (DST)-proportions method (PM) in LJ; US$ 148.45 and US$ 136.80 for a DST-BACTECTM MGITTM 960 system; US$ 11.53 and US$ 9.89 for an Xpert®MTB/RIF; and US$ 84.21 and US$ 48.38 for a Genotype®MTBDRplus. CONCLUSIONS: The mean cost and ABC proved to be good decision-making parameters in the diagnosis of TB and MDR-TB. The effective implementation of algorithms will depend on the conditions at each location.

Patient-incurred cost of inpatient treatment for Tuberculosis in rural Malawi.

OBJECTIVES: To mitigate the economic burden of tuberculosis (TB), it is important to fully understand the costs of TB treatment from the patient perspective. We therefore sought to quantify the patient-incurred cost of TB treatment in rural Malawi, with specific focus on costs borne by patients requiring inpatient hospitalisation. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 197 inpatients and 156 outpatients being treated for TB in rural Malawi. We collected data on out-of-pocket costs and lost wages, including costs to guardians. Costs for inpatient TB treatment were estimated and compared to costs for outpatient TB treatment. We then explored the equity distribution of inpatient TB treatment cost using concentration curves. RESULTS: Despite free government services, inpatients were estimated to incur a mean of $137 (standard deviation: $147) per initial TB episode, corresponding to >50% of annual household spending among patients in the lowest expenditure quintile. Non-medical hospitalisation costs accounted for 88% of this total. Patients treated entirely as outpatients incurred estimated costs of $25 (standard deviation: $15) per episode. The concentration curves showed that, among individuals hospitalised for an initial TB episode, poorer patients shouldered a much greater proportion of inpatient TB treatment costs than wealthier ones (concentration index: -0.279). CONCLUSION: Patients hospitalised for TB in resource-limited rural Malawi experience devastating costs of TB treatment. Earlier diagnosis and treatment must be prioritised if we are to meet goals of effective TB control, avoidance of catastrophic costs and provision of appropriate patient-centred care in such settings.

OBJECTIFS: Pour atténuer la charge économique de la tuberculose (TB), il est important de bien comprendre les coûts du traitement de la TB du point de vue du patient. Nous avons donc cherché à quantifier les coûts encourus par les patients pour le traitement de la TB dans les zones rurales du Malawi, en mettant l'accent sur les coûts supportés par les patients nécessitant une hospitalisation. MÉTHODES: Nous avons mené une enquête transversale auprès de 197 patients hospitalisés et 156 patients ambulatoires traités pour la TB dans les régions rurales du Malawi. Nous avons collecté des données sur les dépenses payées directement de la poche et les pertes de salaire, y compris les coûts pour les gardiens des malades. Les coûts du traitement anti-TB des patients hospitaliser ont été estimés et comparés aux ceux des patients ambulatoires. Nous avons ensuite exploré la répartition des équités propres au coût du traitement de la TB des patients hospitalisés en utilisant des courbes de concentration. RÉSULTATS: Malgré les services gratuits du gouvernement, les patients hospitalisés encouraient en moyenne estimée de 137 $ (écart-type: 147 $) par épisode initial de TB, ce qui correspond à >50% des dépenses annuelles des ménages chez les patients du quintile de dépenses le plus bas. Les frais d'hospitalisation non médicaux représentaient 88% de ce total. Les patients traités entièrement en ambulatoire encouraient des coûts estimés à 25 $ (écart type: 15 $) par épisode. Les courbes de concentration ont montré que, parmi les personnes hospitalisées pour un premier épisode de TB, les patients les plus pauvres supportaient une proportion beaucoup plus élevée des coûts de traitement de la TB en hospitalisation que les plus riches (indice de concentration: -0,279). CONCLUSION: Les patients hospitalisés pour la TB dans les régions rurales pauvres du Malawi connaissent des coûts dévastateurs pour le traitement de la TB. Le diagnostic et le traitement précoces doivent être priorisés si nous voulons atteindre des objectifs de contrôle efficace de la TB, d'évitement des coûts catastrophiques et de prestation de soins appropriés centrés sur le patient dans de tels contextes .

Cost analysis of smear microscopy and the Xpert assay for tuberculosis diagnosis: average turnaround time

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Rapid and accurate tuberculosis detection is critical for improving patient diagnosis and decreasing tuberculosis transmission. Molecular assays can significantly increase laboratory costs; therefore, the average time and economic impact should be evaluated before implementing a new technology. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cost and average turnaround time of smear microscopy and Xpert assay at a university hospital. METHODS: The turnaround time and cost of the laboratory diagnosis of tuberculosis were calculated based on the mean cost and activity based costing (ABC). RESULTS: The average turnaround time for smear microscopy was 16.6 hours while that for Xpert was 24.1 hours. The Xpert had a mean cost of USD 17.37 with an ABC of USD 10.86, while smear microscopy had a mean cost of USD 13.31 with an ABC of USD 6.01. The sensitivity of smear microscopy was 42.9% and its specificity was 99.1%, while the Xpert assay had a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 96.7%. CONCLUSIONS: The Xpert assay has high accuracy; however, the turnaround time and cost of smear microscopy were lower than those of Xpert.

Genotype®MTBDRplus and Xpert®MTB/RIF in the diagnosis of tuberculosis and resistant tuberculosis: cost analysis in a tertiary referral hospital

Abstract INTRODUCTION: The present study sought to assess the mean and activity based cost (ABC) of the laboratory diagnosis for tuberculosis through the application of conventional and molecular techniques-Xpert®MTB/RIF and Genotype®MTBDRplus-in a tertiary referral hospital in Brazil. METHODS: The mean cost and ABC formed the basis for the cost analysis of the TB laboratory diagnosis. RESULTS: The mean cost and ABC were US$ 4.00 and US$ 3.24, respectively, for a bacilloscopy; US$ 6.73 and US$ 5.27 for a Lowenstein-Jensen (LJ) culture; US$ 105.42 and US$ 76.56 for a drug sensitivity test (DST)-proportions method (PM) in LJ; US$ 148.45 and US$ 136.80 for a DST-BACTECTM MGITTM 960 system; US$ 11.53 and US$ 9.89 for an Xpert®MTB/RIF; and US$ 84.21 and US$ 48.38 for a Genotype®MTBDRplus. CONCLUSIONS: The mean cost and ABC proved to be good decision-making parameters in the diagnosis of TB and MDR-TB. The effective implementation of algorithms will depend on the conditions at each location.

Why are people dying due to tuberculosis? A study from Alappuzha District, Kerala, India.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB)is a major killer disease worldwide. It is the ninth leading cause of death worldwide and the leading cause from a single infectious agent. In India also, TB kills about 480,000 persons every year and more than 1400 every day. Vision of the National TB Control Programme is TB-Free India with zero deaths, disease and poverty due to TB. Specific targets set in the End TB strategy include a 90% reduction in TB deaths and an 80% reduction in TB incidence by 2030, compared with 2015. Understanding about real cause of death is important to plan strategies to further prevent TB deaths. In the above circumstances we conducted a study, the objective of which was to find out the cause of deaths among patients registered in RNTCP unit of Alappuzha district of Kerala, India. METHODS: In RNTCP a patient who died during the course of treatment regardless of cause is declared as 'Died' due to TB. During the year 2015, 1618 cases were registered in RNTCP of Alappuzha district of which 90 patients died, showing a case fatality rate of 5.56%. Verbal autopsy can be considered as an essential public health tool for studying reasonable estimate of the cause of death at a community level even though not an accurate method at individual level. As part of the study, we visited the 4 RNTCP units of the district and collected the address of the TB patients who died in the area. With the help of the field staff we visited their houses and filled the death audit form of RNTCP along with the additional details. Verbal autopsy was conducted using WHO verbal autopsy format 2012 with immediate house hold contacts. RESULTS: Out of 90 deaths which occurred, three addresses could not be traced and another 15 patient relatives could not be contacted as they migrated out or were not available at their homes on two visits. Among them, mean age was found to be 62.6 years (SD+12.9). Males were 67 (77%) and rest 20 (23%)were females. Cause of death was analysed after Verbal autopsy for 72 deaths. Among 72 deaths, it was found that 29 (40.3%) had nothing other than TB, where as cause of death for 13 (18.1%) patients was myocardial infarction, 11 (15.3%) had cancer, 2 (2.8%) stroke and 17 (23.7%) other causes which include bronchiectasis, COPD, chicken pox, hepatitis, renal failure, and suicide. Only in 35 cases nothing other than TB could be suggested as a cause of death. Thus in 52 out of 87 (60%) cases, the causes of death were diseases other than TB. CONCLUSION: Among the TB deaths in Alappuzha district, 60% of deaths were due to diseases other than TB. Along with early diagnosis of all TB cases, screening for co-morbidity, appropriate management of co-morbidity and periodic clinical review of TB patients should also be part of the major strategies to prevent TB related deaths.

Out of pocket expenditure on tuberculosis in India: Do households face hardship financing?

BACKGROUND: In 2017, India accounted for 27 percent of the global burden on tuberculosis, and the highest among the top 30 countries with high TB burden. Despite the expansion of DOTS programme many households in India incur high expenditure towards TB treatment. Most of the studies in India have focused on measuring catastrophic health expenditure on TB. Catastrophic health expenditure and its impoverishment effects are difficult to calculate and may misrepresent economic hardship. METHODS: This paper uses hardship financing, i.e. when a household sells assets or borrows money on interest to pay for healthcare expenditure, as an indicator of the hardship of the family when it spends on TB treatment using NSSO 71st Round 2014 data. RESULTS: Using the NSSO national representative sample, the paper estimated that 26.7% of hospitalized cases and 3.5% percent of patients utilising outpatient care experience hardship financing due to TB in the country. 25.9% of the general population had to sell assets or used borrowings for financing TB hospitalization expenses. Education of head of household, income, type of health facility used, and number of hospitalized days were found to be significant factors influencing hardship financing. CONCLUSION: Our study highlights that even with free care for tuberculosis, 21.3% were exposed to hardship financing, suggesting the need to re-look at the subsidy coverage of tuberculosis treatment in the country. The study also suggests the use of hardship financing as an alternative to catastrophic spending method as a index of effectiveness of tuberculosis control programme in the country.

The role of active case finding in reducing patient incurred catastrophic costs for tuberculosis in Nepal.

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization (WHO) End TB Strategy has established a milestone to reduce the number of tuberculosis (TB)- affected households facing catastrophic costs to zero by 2020. The role of active case finding (ACF) in reducing patient costs has not been determined globally. This study therefore aimed to compare costs incurred by TB patients diagnosed through ACF and passive case finding (PCF), and to determine the prevalence and intensity of patient-incurred catastrophic costs in Nepal. METHODS: The study was conducted in two districts of Nepal: Bardiya and Pyuthan (Province No. 5) between June and August 2018. One hundred patients were included in this study in a 1:1 ratio (PCF: ACF, 25 consecutive ACF and 25 consecutive PCF patients in each district). The WHO TB patient costing tool was applied to collect information from patients or a member of their family regarding indirect and direct medical and non-medical costs. Catastrophic costs were calculated based on the proportion of patients with total costs exceeding 20% of their annual household income. The intensity of catastrophic costs was calculated using the positive overshoot method. The chi-square and Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney tests were used to compare proportions and costs. Meanwhile, the Mantel Haenszel test was performed to assess the association between catastrophic costs and type of diagnosis. RESULTS: Ninety-nine patients were interviewed (50 ACF and 49 PCF). Patients diagnosed through ACF incurred lower costs during the pre-treatment period (direct medical: USD 14 vs USD 32, P = 0.001; direct non-medical: USD 3 vs USD 10, P = 0.004; indirect, time loss: USD 4 vs USD 13, P <  0.001). The cost of the pre-treatment and intensive phases combined was also lower for direct medical (USD 15 vs USD 34, P = 0.002) and non-medical (USD 30 vs USD 54, P = 0.022) costs among ACF patients. The prevalence of catastrophic direct costs was lower for ACF patients for all thresholds. A lower intensity of catastrophic costs was also documented for ACF patients, although the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: ACF can reduce patient-incurred costs substantially, contributing to the End TB Strategy target. Other synergistic policies, such as social protection, will also need to be implemented to reduce catastrophic costs to zero among TB-affected households.

Four of five tuberculosis patients experience catastrophic costs related to TB diagnosis and care in Timor-Leste.

SETTING: Seventeen health care facilities that report to the national tuberculosis (TB) programme in Timor-Leste. Participants were TB patients.OBJECTIVE: To determine the proportion of TB patients who experienced catastrophic costs due to their TB diagnosis and care, and the magnitude and composition of these costs.DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional health facility-based survey, conducted in 17 DOTS centres between October 2016 and March 2017. TB patients were interviewed by trained nurses using a standardised questionnaire.RESULTS: Among the 457 TB patients who participated (response rate 96.6%), the median age was 32 years; 39.2% were from the capital, Dili. The patient was the main income earner in 26.3% of households. Annual individual and household incomes before and after TB diagnosis decreased by respectively 30.4% and 31.1%. Using a cut-off of 20% of annual household income, 83.0% of patients experienced catastrophic costs related to their TB diagnosis and care. Income loss and nutritional supplementation accounted for respectively 40.7% and 37.9% of these costs.CONCLUSION: Four of five TB patients in Timor-Leste experienced catastrophic costs related to TB diagnosis and care. Financial and social protection to mitigate against these costs are urgently needed, in addition to universal health coverage.

Tuberculosis patients with higher levels of poverty face equal or greater costs of illness.

SETTING: Fifty-six public clinics in Limpopo Province, South Africa.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between tuberculosis (TB) patient costs and poverty as measured by a multidimensional poverty index.DESIGN: We performed cross-sectional interviews of consecutive patients with TB. TB episode costs were estimated from self-reported income, travel costs, and care-seeking time. Poverty was assessed using the South African Multidimensional Poverty Index (SAMPI) deprivation score (a 12-item household-level index), with higher scores indicating greater poverty. We used multivariable linear regression to adjust for age, sex, human immunodeficiency virus status and travel time.RESULTS: Among 323 participants, 108 (33%) were 'deprived' (deprivation score >0.33). For each 0.1-unit increase in deprivation score, absolute TB episode costs were 1.11 times greater (95%CI 0.97-1.26). TB episode costs were 1.19 times greater with each quintile of higher deprivation score (95%CI 1.00-1.40), but lower by a factor of 0.54 with each quintile of lower self-reported income (higher poverty, 95%CI 0.46-0.62).CONCLUSION: Individuals experiencing multidimensional poverty and the cost of tuberculosis illness in Limpopo, South Africa faced equal or higher costs of TB than non-impoverished patients. Individuals with lower self-reported income experienced higher costs as a proportion of household income but lower absolute costs. Targeted interventions are needed to reduce the economic burden of TB on patients with multidimensional poverty.