ERS/ECDC Statement: European Union standards for tuberculosis care, 2017 update.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Infectious Disease Management
• European Respiratory Medicine

Background:

• The International Standards for Tuberculosis Care provide essential guidelines for tuberculosis management.
• The European Union (EU) and European Economic Area possess resources for higher standards of TB care.
• The European Union Standards for Tuberculosis Care (ESTC) were established in 2012 for the EU context.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and update the ESTC based on new scientific evidence.
• To provide tailored, patient-centered standards for TB care within the EU.
• To ensure quality and timely diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of TB.

Main Methods:

• A panel of international experts, led by the European Respiratory Society (ERS) and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), conducted the review.
• The update was based on newly published scientific evidence.
• The underlying principles of the standards remained unchanged.

Main Results:

• The second edition of the ESTC includes 21 updated standards.
• Standards cover key areas: diagnosis, treatment, HIV and comorbidities, and public health and prevention.
• The updated ESTC maintains a patient-centered approach.

Conclusions:

• The revised ESTC offers an updated, easy-to-use resource for clinicians and public health workers.
• These standards guide optimal activities for TB diagnosis, treatment, and prevention in the EU.
• The updated ESTC incorporates the latest evidence to enhance TB care delivery.