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Meta-Analysis
. 2014 Dec;14(12):1240-9.
doi: 10.1016/S1473-3099(14)70966-1. Epub 2014 Nov 7.

Pre-entry screening programmes for tuberculosis in migrants to low-incidence countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Robert W Aldridge  1 , Tom A Yates  2 , Dominik Zenner  3 , Peter J White  4 , Ibrahim Abubakar  3 , Andrew C Hayward  2
Affiliations
Free article
Meta-Analysis

Pre-entry screening programmes for tuberculosis in migrants to low-incidence countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Robert W Aldridge et al. Lancet Infect Dis. 2014 Dec.
Free article

Abstract

Background: Several high-income countries have pre-entry screening programmes for tuberculosis. We aimed to establish the yield of pre-entry screening programmes to inform evidence-based policy for migrant health screening.

Methods: We searched six bibliographic databases for experimental or observational studies and systematic reviews, which reported data on migrant screening for active or latent tuberculosis by any method before migration to a low-incidence country. Primary outcomes were principal reported screening yield of active tuberculosis, yield of culture-confirmed cases, and yield of sputum smear for acid-fast bacilli cases. Where appropriate, fixed-effects models were used to summarise the yield of pre-entry screening across included studies.

Findings: We identified 15 unique studies with data for 3 739 266 migrants screened pre-entry for tuberculosis between 1982 and 2010. Heterogeneity was high for all primary outcomes. After stratification by prevalence in country of origin, heterogeneity was reduced for culture-confirmed and smear-confirmed cases. Yield of culture-confirmed cases increased with prevalence in the country of origin, and summary estimates ranged from 19·7 (95% CI 10·3-31·5) cases identified per 100 000 individuals screened in countries with a prevalence of 50-149 cases per 100 000 population to 335·9 (283·0-393·2) per 100 000 in countries with a prevalence of greater than 350 per 100 000 population.

Interpretation: Targeting high-prevalence countries could result in the highest yield for active disease. Pre-entry screening should be considered as part of a broad package of measures to ensure early diagnosis and effective management of migrants with active tuberculosis, and be integrated with initiatives that address the health needs of migrants.

Funding: Wellcome Trust, UK National Institute for Health Research, Medical Research Council, Public Health England.

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