Treatment of latent tuberculosis infection in migrants in primary care versus secondary care.

Background: Control of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is a priority in the World Health Organization strategy to eliminate TB. Many high-income, low TB incidence countries have prioritised LTBI screening and treatment in recent migrants. We tested whether a novel model of care, based entirely within primary care, was effective and safe compared to secondary care.

Methods: This was a pragmatic cluster-randomised, parallel group, superiority trial (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03069807) conducted in 34 general practices in London, UK, comparing LTBI treatment in recent migrants in primary care to secondary care. The primary outcome was treatment completion, defined as taking ≥90% of antibiotic doses. Secondary outcomes included treatment acceptance, adherence, adverse effects, patient satisfaction, TB incidence and a cost-effectiveness analysis. Analyses were performed on an intention-to-treat basis.

Results: Between September 2016 and May 2019, 362 recent migrants with LTBI were offered treatment and 276 accepted. Treatment completion was similar in primary and secondary care (82.6% versus 86.0%; adjusted OR (aOR) 0.64, 95% CI 0.31-1.29). There was no difference in drug-induced liver injury between primary and secondary care (0.7% versus 2.3%; aOR 0.29, 95% CI 0.03-2.84). Treatment acceptance was lower in primary care (65.2% (146/224) versus 94.2% (130/138); aOR 0.10, 95% CI 0.03-0.30). The estimated cost per patient completing treatment was lower in primary care, with an incremental saving of GBP 315.27 (95% CI 313.47-317.07).

Conclusions: The treatment of LTBI in recent migrants within primary care does not result in higher rates of treatment completion but is safe and costs less when compared to secondary care.