New S3 guideline calls for targeted tuberculosis screening for immigrants
Just in time for World Tuberculosis Day, the German Society for Pneumology and Respiratory Medicine (DGP) has published the new S3 guideline “Tuberculosis prevention in newly immigrant people”. The guideline proposes a fundamental restructuring of the current screening system and is intended to avoid unnecessary examinations and better reach high-risk groups.
Currently, all immigrants accommodated in shared accommodation are legally tested for tuberculosis – regardless of country of origin or individual risks. Instead, the new guideline recommends a risk-based approach: new immigrants from countries with a tuberculosis incidence of more than 100 per 100,000 inhabitants should receive a screening offer. People up to 35 years of age should also be tested for latent tuberculosis infection (TBI) and, if the result is positive, preventive therapy should be offered.
In addition, individual risk factors such as pre-existing conditions, malnutrition or stressful flight circumstances are to be taken into account. This is intended to make existing resources used in a more targeted and efficient way.
The current national strategy for tuberculosis control is not sufficient, emphasized lead author Dr. Brit Häcker from the German Central Committee for Combating Tuberculosis (DZK) and Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI). The scientific director of the guideline, Prof. Berit Lange (HZI and Hannover Medical School), added that this guideline had created an evidence-based basis that is unique in Europe.
The S3 guideline has been drawn up over the past three years with the participation of those affected, public health and individual medicine experts and funded by the Innovation Fund of the Federal Joint Committee. It is aimed not only at doctors, but also at politicians.
In the medium term, Germany could become one of the first countries in the world to achieve the WHO’s EndTB strategy if the new recommendations are implemented.
The guideline is now available on the website of the Association of Scientific Medical Societies (AWMF).
Original Paper:
Editor: X-Press Journalistenbüro GbR
Gender Notice. The personal designations used in this text always refer equally to female, male and diverse persons. Double/triple naming and gendered designations are used for better readability. ected.
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