European guidelines for the management of tuberculosis screening procedures in migrants: A systematic review

This systematic review assesses the current available evidence across the WHO European region on the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the different approaches used for TB screening and also explores the facilitators and barriers that migrants face during screening programmes.

We conducted an extensive, comprehensive, and systematic literature search across multiple databases, including MEDLINE, Cochrane, Scopus, and ISI Web of Knowledge, without any restrictions on publication date or language. In addition, we reviewed grey literature and reports. The data were meticulously analysed with a focus on screening of TB active disease and infection effectiveness indicators, and cost-effectiveness economic analyses as a primary objective and the comprehension of barriers and facilitators of screening as a secondary objective.

Our review included 43 studies covering over 8 million migrants from 11 countries. The findings demonstrate that while screening uptake was high, coverage varied, and completion rates for preventive treatments were low. Economic analyses supported the high cost-effectiveness of the screening programmes, particularly when integrating both active TB and TBI screening strategies.

This review underscores the cost-effectiveness and public health importance of TB screening in migrant populations within Europe. However, the disparities in screening practices highlight the urgent need for standardisation at the European level.