Investigating linkage to care between hospitals and primary care clinics for people with TB in rural South Africa

People with tuberculosis (TB) are often lost to follow-up during treatment transition to another facility. These losses may result in substantial morbidity and mortality but are rarely recorded. We conducted a record review on adults diagnosed with TB at 11 hospitals in Limpopo, South Africa, who were subsequently transferred to a local clinic to initiate or continue treatment. We then performed in-depth record reviews at the primary care clinic to which they were referred and called participants who could not be identified as starting treatment. Between August 2017 and April 2018, we reviewed records of 778 individuals diagnosed with TB in-hospital and later referred to local clinics for treatment. Of the 778, 88 (11%) did not link to care, and an additional 43 (5.5%) died. Compared to people without cough, those with cough had higher odds of linking to care (aOR = 2.01, 95% CI: 1.26-3.25, p = 0.005) and were also linked more quickly [adjusted Time Ratio (aTR) = 0.53, 95% CI:0.36-0.79, p<0.001], as were those diagnosed microbiologically (aOR = 1.86, 95% CI: 1.16-3.06, p = 0.012; aTR = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.34-0.98, p = 0.04). People diagnosed with TB in hospitals often disengage following referral to local clinics. Interventions to identify and re-engage people who do not present to local clinics within days of referral might close an important gap in the TB treatment cascade.

Automated summary

People diagnosed with TB in hospitals often disengage following referral to local clinics, resulting in potential morbidity and mortality. This study in South Africa found that 11% of TB patients did not link to care and an additional 5.5% died after being referred to local clinics. Patients with cough and microbiologically diagnosed TB had higher odds of linking to care and receiving treatment more quickly. Interventions to identify and re-engage patients who do not present to local clinics within days of referral could improve the TB treatment cascade.