Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 8, 2026
A High-Throughput Multiplexed Screening for Type 1 Diabetes, Celiac Diseases, and COVID-19
Published on: July 5, 2022
A cost-effectiveness evaluation of methods for screening for TB infection in patients with diabetes mellitus
M I Mahmood1, M Ganason1, Z A Aziz2
1Disease Control Division, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Putrajaya, Malaysia.
Background:
Globally, 10.6 million TB cases occurred in 2021. Malaysia reported 25,000 TB cases in 2022, and also has a high prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM), amplifying TB risks.
Objective:
Assess the cost-effectiveness of QuantiFERON (QFT-plus) versus tuberculin skin test (TST) for diagnosing TB infection in patients with DM in Malaysia.
Methods:
Using an R-based model, we compared QFT-plus to TST. The analysis included individuals with HbA1C >10%. Primary outcomes encompassed costs, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), and averted TB cases.
Results:
QFT-plus costs US$111.29 per person versus US$285.66 for TST. It generated 16.51 QALYs per person, compared to 16.50 QALYs for TST. Despite higher initial screening costs, its improved diagnostic accuracy enables earlier treatment, reducing active TB progression risk by 26% compared to TST. Both deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses consistently favoured QFT-plus.
Conclusion:
Despite its higher initial cost, QFT-plus is both more economical and clinically superior to TST in the context of Malaysia's high prevalence of DM. This underscores the need for its broader adoption through policy shifts to incorporate QFT-plus into national guidelines. Future research should address implementation and broader socio-economic aspects.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Pulmonary Tuberculosis IV
Several diagnostic approaches are used to detect TB. The conventional method is the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST), also known as the Mantoux test. However, this method has...
01:28Pulmonary Tuberculosis V
Latent tuberculosis infection occurs when TB bacteria are present in a person's body, but are not causing illness or symptoms. It is not contagious, and preventive treatment is crucial to avoid the...
01:29Pulmonary Tuberculosis I
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...