Gaps in the care cascade for screening and treatment of refugees with tuberculosis infection in Middle Tennessee: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND

Treatment of tuberculosis infection (TBI) in individuals at high risk for tuberculosis (TB) disease is a priority for TB elimination in the US. Newly arrived refugees in Middle Tennessee are screened for TBI, but factors associated with gaps in the TBI care cascade are not well characterized.

METHODS

We assessed the TBI care cascade from US entry to completion of treatment for refugees who resettled in Middle Tennessee from 2012 through 2016. We assessed factors associated with treatment initiation and completion using logistic regression models.

RESULTS

Of 6776 refugees who completed initial health screening, 1681 (25%) screened positive for TBI, 1208 were eligible for treatment, 690 started treatment, and 432 completed treatment. Male sex (Odds Ratio [OR]: 1.42; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.06, 1.89) and screening with interferon gamma release assay compared to tuberculin skin test (OR: 2.89; 95% CI: 1.59, 5.27) were associated with increased treatment initiation; living farther away from TB clinic was associated with decreased treatment initiation (OR: 0.91; 95% CI: 0.83, 0.99). Existing diabetes (OR: 7.27; 95% CI: 1.93, 27.30), receipt of influenza vaccination (OR: 1.65; 95% CI: 1.14, 2.40) and region of origin from South-Eastern or Southern Asia (OR: 2.30; 95% CI: 1.43, 3.70; OR: 1.64; 95% CI: 1.02, 2.64) were associated with increased treatment completion. Six refugees developed TB disease after declining (n = 4) or partially completing (n = 2) TBI treatment; none who completed treatment developed TB disease.

CONCLUSIONS

We determined gaps in the TBI care cascade among refugees in Middle Tennessee. Further assessment of barriers to treatment initiation and completion and interventions to assist refugees are warranted to improve these gaps and prevent TB disease.