Yield and Efficiency of a Population-based Mass Tuberculosis Screening Intervention Among Persons With Diabetes in Jiangsu Province, China

We performed a mass tuberculosis screening program focused on almost 90 000 persons with diabetes. The program was feasible; however, the overall disease yield was low and not cost-efficient. Background The evidence-base for mass tuberculosis screening among persons with diabetes (PWD) is poor. We evaluated the yield and costs of mass screening among PWD in eastern China. Methods We included individuals with type 2 diabetes from 38 townships in Jiangsu Province. Screening comprised of physical examinations, symptom screening, and chest X-rays; smear and culture testing were performed through clinical triage. We assessed the yield and number needed to screen (NNS) to detect 1 tuberculosis case among all PWD, those with symptoms, and with suggestive chest X-rays. Unit costing was collected to estimate screening costs and to calculate cost per case detected. We performed a systematic review of other mass tuberculosis screening programs concentrated on PWD. Results Of 89 549 screened PWD, 160 were diagnosed with tuberculosis (179 cases per 100 000 persons; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 153-205). The NNS was 560 (95% CI: 513-606), 248 (95% CI: 217-279), and 36 (95% CI: 24-48) among all participants, with abnormal chest X-rays, and symptoms. The cost per case was high overall (US$13 930) but lower with symptoms (US$1037) and high fasting blood glucose levels (US$6807). From systematic review, the pooled NNS to detect one case among all PWD (regardless of symptoms or chest X-ray results) in high- versus low-burden settings was 93 (95% CI: 70-141) versus 395 (95% CI: 283-649). Conclusions A mass tuberculosis screening program focused on PWD was feasible however, the overall yield was low and not cost-efficient. Risk-stratified approaches may be practical among PWD in low- and medium tuberculosis burden settings.

Automated summary

We conducted a mass tuberculosis screening program for nearly 90,000 individuals with diabetes. The program was feasible but had a low yield of disease detection and was not cost-efficient. This study evaluated the yield and costs of mass screening among individuals with type 2 diabetes in eastern China.