Patterns of non-communicable comorbidities at start of tuberculosis treatment in three regions of the Philippines: The St-ATT cohort.

Diabetes and undernutrition are common risk factors for tuberculosis (TB), associated with poor treatment outcomes and exacerbated by TB. Limited data exist describing patterns and risk factors of multiple comorbidities in persons with TB. Nine-hundred participants (69.6% male) were enrolled in the Starting Anti-TB Treatment (St-ATT) cohort, including 133 (14.8%) initiating treatment for multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB). Comorbidities were defined as: diabetes, HbA1c ≥6.5% and/or on medication; hypertension, systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg and/or on medication; anaemia (moderate/severe), haemoglobin <11g/dL; and, undernutrition (moderate/severe) body-mass-index <17 kg/m2. The most common comorbidities were undernutrition 23.4% (210/899), diabetes 22.5% (199/881), hypertension 19.0% (164/864) and anaemia 13.5% (121/899). Fifty-eight percent had ≥1 comorbid condition (496/847), with 17.1% having ≥2; most frequently diabetes and hypertension (N = 57, 6.7%). Just over half of diabetes (54.8%) and hypertension (54.9%) was previously undiagnosed. Poor glycemic control in those on medication (HbA1c≥8.0%) was common (N = 50/73, 68.5%). MDR-TB treatment was associated with increased odds of diabetes (Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.48, 95% CI: 1.55–3.95); but decreased odds of hypertension (AOR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.39–0.78). HIV infection was only associated with anaemia (AOR = 4.51, 95% CI: 1.01–20.1). Previous TB treatment was associated with moderate/severe undernutrition (AOR = 1.98, 95% CI: 1.40–2.80), as was duration of TB-symptoms before starting treatment and household food insecurity. No associations for sex, alcohol or tobacco use were observed. MDR-TB treatment was marginally associated with having ≥2 comorbidities (OR = 1.52, 95% CI: 0.97–2.39). TB treatment programmes should plan for large proportions of persons requiring diagnosis and management of comorbidities with the potential to adversely affect TB treatment outcomes and quality of life. Dietary advice and nutritional management are components of comprehensive care for the above conditions as well as TB and should be included in planning of patient-centred services

Patterns of non-communicable comorbidities at start of tuberculosis treatment in three regions of the Philippines: The St-ATT cohort.

Diabetes and undernutrition are common risk factors for tuberculosis (TB), associated with poor treatment outcomes and exacerbated by TB. Limited data exist describing patterns and risk factors of multiple comorbidities in persons with TB. Nine-hundred participants (69.6% male) were enrolled in the Starting Anti-TB Treatment (St-ATT) cohort, including 133 (14.8%) initiating treatment for multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB). Comorbidities were defined as: diabetes, HbA1c ≥6.5% and/or on medication; hypertension, systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg and/or on medication; anaemia (moderate/severe), haemoglobin <11g/dL; and, undernutrition (moderate/severe) body-mass-index <17 kg/m2. The most common comorbidities were undernutrition 23.4% (210/899), diabetes 22.5% (199/881), hypertension 19.0% (164/864) and anaemia 13.5% (121/899). Fifty-eight percent had ≥1 comorbid condition (496/847), with 17.1% having ≥2; most frequently diabetes and hypertension (N = 57, 6.7%). Just over half of diabetes (54.8%) and hypertension (54.9%) was previously undiagnosed. Poor glycemic control in those on medication (HbA1c≥8.0%) was common (N = 50/73, 68.5%). MDR-TB treatment was associated with increased odds of diabetes (Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.48, 95% CI: 1.55-3.95); but decreased odds of hypertension (AOR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.39-0.78). HIV infection was only associated with anaemia (AOR = 4.51, 95% CI: 1.01-20.1). Previous TB treatment was associated with moderate/severe undernutrition (AOR = 1.98, 95% CI: 1.40-2.80), as was duration of TB-symptoms before starting treatment and household food insecurity. No associations for sex, alcohol or tobacco use were observed. MDR-TB treatment was marginally associated with having ≥2 comorbidities (OR = 1.52, 95% CI: 0.97-2.39). TB treatment programmes should plan for large proportions of persons requiring diagnosis and management of comorbidities with the potential to adversely affect TB treatment outcomes and quality of life. Dietary advice and nutritional management are components of comprehensive care for the above conditions as well as TB and should be included in planning of patient-centred services

A Practical Guide to Full Value of Vaccine Assessments.

Peer reviewed: TruePublication status: PublishedArticulating the wide range of health, social and economic benefits that vaccines offer may help to overcome obstacles in the vaccine development pipeline. A framework to guide the assessment and communication of the value of a vaccine-the Full Value of Vaccine Assessment (FVVA)-has been developed by the WHO. The FVVA framework offers a holistic assessment of the value of vaccines, providing a synthesis of evidence to inform the public health need of a vaccine, describing the supply and demand aspects, its market and its impact from a health, financial and economic perspective. This paper provides a practical guide to how FVVAs are developed and used to support investment in vaccines, ultimately leading to sustained implementation in countries. The FVVA includes a range of elements that can be broadly categorised as synthesis, vaccine development narrative and defining vaccine impact and value. Depending on the features of the disease/vaccine in question, different elements may be emphasised; however, a standardised set of elements is recommended for each FVVA. The FVVA should be developed by an expert group who represent a range of stakeholders, perspectives and geographies and ensure a fair, coherent and evidence-based assessment of vaccine value

A Practical Guide to Full Value of Vaccine Assessments

Articulating the wide range of health, social and economic benefits that vaccines offer may help to overcome obstacles in the vaccine development pipeline. A framework to guide the assessment and communication of the value of a vaccine—the Full Value of Vaccine Assessment (FVVA)—has been developed by the WHO. The FVVA framework offers a holistic assessment of the value of vaccines, providing a synthesis of evidence to inform the public health need of a vaccine, describing the supply and demand aspects, its market and its impact from a health, financial and economic perspective. This paper provides a practical guide to how FVVAs are developed and used to support investment in vaccines, ultimately leading to sustained implementation in countries. The FVVA includes a range of elements that can be broadly categorised as synthesis, vaccine development narrative and defining vaccine impact and value. Depending on the features of the disease/vaccine in question, different elements may be emphasised; however, a standardised set of elements is recommended for each FVVA. The FVVA should be developed by an expert group who represent a range of stakeholders, perspectives and geographies and ensure a fair, coherent and evidence-based assessment of vaccine value