Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
Public Health Action. 2015 June 21; Volume 5 (Issue 2); 150-152.; DOI:10.5588/pha.15.0006
Rajapakshe W, Isaakidis P, Sagili KD, Kumar AMV, Samaraweera S, et al.
Public Health Action. 2015 June 21; Volume 5 (Issue 2); 150-152.; DOI:10.5588/pha.15.0006
Given the well-known linkage between diabetes mellitus (DM) and tuberculosis (TB), the World Health Organization recommends bidirectional screening. Here we report the first screening effort of its kind from a chest clinic in the Ampara district of Sri Lanka. Of 112 TB patients registered between January 2013 and October 2014, eight had pre-existing DM. Of those remaining, 83 (80%) underwent fasting plasma glucose testing, of whom two (2%) and 17 (20%) were found to have diabetes and impaired fasting glucose, respectively. All of these were enrolled in care. Screening TB patients for DM was found to be feasible at the district level. Further studies at the provincial/country level are required before making any decision to scale up bidirectional screening.
Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
Public Health Action. 2014 June 21; Volume 4 (Issue 2); 105-9.; DOI:10.5588/pha.13.0111
Abeygunawardena SC, Sharath BN, Van der Bergh R, Naik B, Pallewatta N, et al.
Public Health Action. 2014 June 21; Volume 4 (Issue 2); 105-9.; DOI:10.5588/pha.13.0111
SETTING
District Chest Clinic, Kalutara, Sri Lanka.
OBJECTIVES
To determine the coverage of culture and drug susceptibility testing (CDST), delays in CDST, treatment initiation, obtaining CDST results and treatment outcomes of previously treated tuberculosis (TB) patients.
DESIGN
Retrospective cohort study involving review of records and reports. All previously treated TB patients from January 2008 to June 2013 were included in the study.
RESULTS
Of 160 patients, 126 (79%) samples were sent for CDST; 79 (63%) were culture-positive and no multi-drug-resistant (MDR) TB cases were reported. Respectively 9% and 15% of patients experienced a delay in sending samples (median delay 21 days) and receiving CDST reports (median delay 71 days), while 20% experienced delays in initiating the retreatment regimen (median delay 11.5 days). The cohort recorded an 82% treatment success rate.
CONCLUSION
Of all retreatment patients, only 79% were tested for CDST and there were sizeable delays in sample transportation and treatment initiation. Possible ways forward to strengthen the programme are discussed.
District Chest Clinic, Kalutara, Sri Lanka.
OBJECTIVES
To determine the coverage of culture and drug susceptibility testing (CDST), delays in CDST, treatment initiation, obtaining CDST results and treatment outcomes of previously treated tuberculosis (TB) patients.
DESIGN
Retrospective cohort study involving review of records and reports. All previously treated TB patients from January 2008 to June 2013 were included in the study.
RESULTS
Of 160 patients, 126 (79%) samples were sent for CDST; 79 (63%) were culture-positive and no multi-drug-resistant (MDR) TB cases were reported. Respectively 9% and 15% of patients experienced a delay in sending samples (median delay 21 days) and receiving CDST reports (median delay 71 days), while 20% experienced delays in initiating the retreatment regimen (median delay 11.5 days). The cohort recorded an 82% treatment success rate.
CONCLUSION
Of all retreatment patients, only 79% were tested for CDST and there were sizeable delays in sample transportation and treatment initiation. Possible ways forward to strengthen the programme are discussed.