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

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Artigo de periódico

Título alternativo

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Membros da banca

Resumo

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.

Abstract

Assunto

Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Molecular Diagnostic Techniques, Tuberculosis, Pulmonary, Costs and Cost Analysis, Health Systems

Palavras-chave

Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Molecular diagnostic, Tuberculosis, Pulmonary, Cost Analysis, Health Systems

Citação

Curso

Endereço externo

https://doi.org/10.1590/0037-8682-0314-2020

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