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High rate of latent tuberculosis treatment completion in immigrants seeking asylum in Sweden

Olsson, O. LU orcid ; Winqvist, N. LU ; Olsson, M. ; Olsson, P. and Björkman, P. LU orcid (2018) In Infectious Diseases 50(9). p.678-686
Abstract

Background/Aim: Treatment of latently infected individuals at increased risk of reactivation is a cornerstone in tuberculosis control. Although asylum seekers without residence permit in Sweden are offered screening for both active tuberculosis and latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI), treatment for LTBI is often not initiated due to anticipated low rates of treatment completion. We aimed to compare completion rates for LTBI treatment between asylum seekers and other patients, and between asylum seekers with and without residence permit. Methods: Data were collected retrospectively from tuberculosis clinic registers and medical records. For comparison of treatment completion rates, relative risks (RR) and confidence intervals (CI) were... (More)

Background/Aim: Treatment of latently infected individuals at increased risk of reactivation is a cornerstone in tuberculosis control. Although asylum seekers without residence permit in Sweden are offered screening for both active tuberculosis and latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI), treatment for LTBI is often not initiated due to anticipated low rates of treatment completion. We aimed to compare completion rates for LTBI treatment between asylum seekers and other patients, and between asylum seekers with and without residence permit. Methods: Data were collected retrospectively from tuberculosis clinic registers and medical records. For comparison of treatment completion rates, relative risks (RR) and confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Predictors of completion were assessed by logistic regression multivariate analysis. Results: Treatment completion was achieved in 506/606 subjects (83%). RR of non-completion for asylum seekers (n = 297) compared to other subjects (n = 309) was 1.13 (95% CI: 0.79–1.61; p = .51), and 0.91 (95% CI: 0.53–1.56; p = .72) for asylum seekers without residence permit (n = 217) compared to asylum seekers with residence permit (n = 80). Completion rates increased from 53% in 2008 to 92% in 2015–2016. The following factors were associated with completion: scheduled interpreter-assisted appointments throughout the course of therapy, shorter treatment duration (6 vs. 9 months), and being treated in connection with immunosuppressive therapy. Conclusion: Treatment completion rates were similar between asylum seekers and other subjects, supporting initiation of latent tuberculosis treatment in immigrants with recent arrival to low-endemic countries.

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author
; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Europe, Latent tuberculosis infection, Low-burden settings, Migrant health, Tuberculosis prevention
in
Infectious Diseases
volume
50
issue
9
pages
678 - 686
publisher
Informa Healthcare
external identifiers
  • scopus:85045055359
  • pmid:29620426
ISSN
2374-4235
DOI
10.1080/23744235.2018.1459046
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
ee795940-25c9-4b19-907a-b96734956b0e
date added to LUP
2018-04-18 16:40:36
date last changed
2024-05-13 08:44:22
@article{ee795940-25c9-4b19-907a-b96734956b0e,
  abstract     = {{<p>Background/Aim: Treatment of latently infected individuals at increased risk of reactivation is a cornerstone in tuberculosis control. Although asylum seekers without residence permit in Sweden are offered screening for both active tuberculosis and latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI), treatment for LTBI is often not initiated due to anticipated low rates of treatment completion. We aimed to compare completion rates for LTBI treatment between asylum seekers and other patients, and between asylum seekers with and without residence permit. Methods: Data were collected retrospectively from tuberculosis clinic registers and medical records. For comparison of treatment completion rates, relative risks (RR) and confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Predictors of completion were assessed by logistic regression multivariate analysis. Results: Treatment completion was achieved in 506/606 subjects (83%). RR of non-completion for asylum seekers (n = 297) compared to other subjects (n = 309) was 1.13 (95% CI: 0.79–1.61; p = .51), and 0.91 (95% CI: 0.53–1.56; p = .72) for asylum seekers without residence permit (n = 217) compared to asylum seekers with residence permit (n = 80). Completion rates increased from 53% in 2008 to 92% in 2015–2016. The following factors were associated with completion: scheduled interpreter-assisted appointments throughout the course of therapy, shorter treatment duration (6 vs. 9 months), and being treated in connection with immunosuppressive therapy. Conclusion: Treatment completion rates were similar between asylum seekers and other subjects, supporting initiation of latent tuberculosis treatment in immigrants with recent arrival to low-endemic countries.</p>}},
  author       = {{Olsson, O. and Winqvist, N. and Olsson, M. and Olsson, P. and Björkman, P.}},
  issn         = {{2374-4235}},
  keywords     = {{Europe; Latent tuberculosis infection; Low-burden settings; Migrant health; Tuberculosis prevention}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{09}},
  number       = {{9}},
  pages        = {{678--686}},
  publisher    = {{Informa Healthcare}},
  series       = {{Infectious Diseases}},
  title        = {{High rate of latent tuberculosis treatment completion in immigrants seeking asylum in Sweden}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/23744235.2018.1459046}},
  doi          = {{10.1080/23744235.2018.1459046}},
  volume       = {{50}},
  year         = {{2018}},
}