Research

Synthesis of evidence on TB diagnostics

High quality diagnostic studies are critical to evaluate new tools, to develop evidence-based policies on TB diagnostics, and, ultimately, for effective control of the global TB epidemic. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses provide the best synthesis of current evidence and have the potential to impact policy. I have conducted and supervised meta-analyses on various TB diagnostics. In addition to informing the field of evidence-based TB diagnostics, these reviews have been helpful in making policy decisions and in identifying key knowledge gaps and unresolved questions. For example, our review on yield of serial sputum smear examination (IJTLD 2007;11(5):484-95) was discussed in the 7th meeting of the Strategic and Technical Advisory Group of TB (STAG-TB), which concluded with a series of recommendations to WHO, including endorsement of a revised TB case definition. Similarly, on the basis of our series of reviews on smear microscopy (Lancet Infect Dis 2006), TDR/WHO recently launched a research program on optimization of sputum smear microscopy for TB.

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