ICMR to begin research for intensified case finding for pulmonary TB in institutional healthcare settings
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) will soon begin research for Intensified Case Finding (ICF) for pulmonary tuberculosis in institutional healthcare settings in the country. For this purpose, ICMR on behalf of India TB Research Consortium has solicited Letters of Interest (LoI) from interested institutes or organizations in the area of implementation research for TB for a large multi-centric project for which protocol has been developed by the ICMR.
The ICMR proposes to conduct an implementation study where certain high risk groups like Maternal and Child Health (MCH) clinic attendees (antenatal, post-natal), diabetics, hospitalized patients in medical wards, elderly people and People Living with HIV (PLHIV) visiting ART (Anti Retroviral Therapy) centers will be screened to find out the prevalence of microbiologically confirmed pulmonary TB and to determine the acceptability & feasibility of ICF in these groups. The results obtained will provide vital inputs for incorporation into the programme and the experience gained will be useful for planning its scalability. Implementation studies in other high risk patient groups may be taken up at a later stage.
The ICMR's initiative is significant as India presents largest burden of tuberculosis (TB) in the world. Despite the availability of improved diagnostic services in the recent past, many people still remain undiagnosed or are diagnosed late. This leads to continuing transmission of disease and higher mortality as well as economic loss and more suffering to patients. Provider initiated ICF could be an important tool to identify TB patients amongst high risk populations. However, India lacks appropriate algorithms to be used in high risk groups in India. The WHO Global End TB Strategy aims for 90% reduction in TB incidence, 95% reduction in TB deaths and elimination of catastrophic costs due to TB in comparison to 2015 by the year 2035. In India, the strategy is to achieve these goals much earlier i.e. by 2025 as mandated by government of India.
To achieve the goals of the End TB strategy; novel tools, strategies and magnified efforts are required. Case finding and treatment of TB disease are the primary means of controlling transmission and reducing incidence. ICF has the potential to markedly reduce TB incidence in high burden areas when applied to epidemiologically appropriate settings coupled with strong and effective DOTS programs. .
The ICMR has now invited LoI from medical colleges, research organizations, institutions, universities, academic institutions; and private hospitals and practitioners/ non-government organisations for the project.
The target population for this programme would include pregnant and post-natal women attending MCH clinics of district level public sector hospitals; diabetic patients attending any of the departments of the selected district hospitals – both out-patient and in-patient; dlderly (=60 years) patients attending any of the departments of the selected district hospitals – both out-patient and in-patient; patients hospitalized in medical wards; and PLHIV: Attending ART centers and those found to be HIV reactive after counselling and testing in ICTC centers.
Source: Pharmabiz.com
