How is latent tuberculosis infection screening carried out in biological therapies candidates?

What is it about?

In 2016, a consensus document on the prevention and treatment of latent tuberculosis infection in patients candidates for biological treatment was published in Spain. The main objective of this study was to evaluate compliance with these guidelines. To this end, we carried out a survey aimed at all the members of the medical societies involved in biological treatments (Rheumatology, Digestology, Internal Medicine, Pulmonology). We obtained 747 answers. The selection of candidates to be screened is adequate (93.7%), but only 36.6% of the respondents requested the appropriate diagnostic tests. Although the majority of respondents knew the chemoprophylaxis guidelines, only 63.9% started them at the right time, and only 56.3% prescribed it correctly. Conclusions: This study shows a poor general adherence to the recommendations of the multidisciplinary consensus.

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Why is it important?

The incidence of tuberculous disease in patients who are going to receive biological therapies could the by emphasizing the importance of the correct diagnostic test and the use of the diagnostic-therapeutic algorithm for latent tuberculosis.