Skip to main content
. 2019 Nov 12;4:173. [Version 1] doi: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.15412.1

Table 2. Analysis of study features relative to usual care.

Study Summary of study features
Calligaro et al. (2015) 5 Used laboratories that observed high quality standards for TB testing
Inpatient setting with high pretest probability of TB and empirical treatment
Informed consent required
Use of additional testing; culture
Churchyard et al. (2015) 6 High quality laboratories used; laboratories not meeting standards excluded
Patients with reduced chance of LTFU. Excluded patients from remote locations or from outside
catchment area
Informed consent required
Use of additional testing; chest radiographs
Enhanced follow up by giving airtime vouchers to maintain contact;
Home visits to those who lost contact
Cox et al. (2014) 7 Used laboratories that observed high quality standards for TB testing
Informed consent waived
Enhanced follow-up of patients using multiple existing data registries used to follow-up patients;
Home visits made to test negative patients and test positive patients not on treatment
Mupfumi et al. (2014) 8 Used laboratories that observed high quality standards for TB testing
Population with high likelihood of empirical treatment; HIV positive patients starting ART
Informed consent required
Use of additional testing; chest radiographs
Enhanced follow up by tracking LTFU through clinical records and home visits
Ngwira et al. (2018) 9 Used laboratories that observed high quality standards for TB testing
Population with high likelihood of empirical treatment; HIV positive patients starting ART
Patients with minimal chance of LTFU. Excluded patients from remote locations or from outside
catchment area
Informed consent required
Continuous training of onsite personnel
Enhanced follow-up of patients though extra visits, home visits and using data registers
Theron et al. (2014) 10 Used laboratories that observed high quality standards for TB testing
Research staff directly involved in care of participants
Higher pre-test probability of TB; HIV negative patients required to have ≥ 2 symptoms of TB
Informed consent required
Likelihood of increased interaction between study staff and patients through transporting
patients for additional testing and counselling
Use of additional testing; chest radiographs and culture
Trajman et al. (2015) 11, 13 Used laboratories that observed high quality standards for TB testing
Informed consent waived
All patients with presumptive TB included; no exclusion criteria
Utilised routinely collected data from electronic records database
No additional staff and diagnostics relative to usual care
No enhanced follow up strategies
Yoon et al. (2012) 12 Used laboratories that observed high quality standards for TB testing
Research staff directly involved in care of participants
Research staff performed sputum induction and bronchoscopy
Inpatient setting with high pretest probability of TB and empirical treatment
Informed consent required
Likelihood of increased interaction between study staff and patients through transporting patients for additional testing and counselling
Use of additional testing; chest radiographs and culture
Enhanced follow up by providing transport vouchers and home visits