title: Gaps and barriers to tuberculosis screening among anti-tumor necrosis factor prescribers.
abstract: Delegates from the Tuberculosis Committee of the Portuguese Pulmonology Society, the Portuguese Rheumatology Society, the Portuguese Dermatology and Venereology Society and the Portuguese Gastroenterology Society, have revised and updated, in 2012, their guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of latent tuberculosis infection and active tuberculosis in patients that are candidates for therapy with biologic drugs. In order to identify perceived barriers to tuberculosis screening among patients candidate to anti-TNF treatment, we performed a cross-sectional survey including rheumatologists, gastroenterologists and dermatologists who prescribed anti-TNF agents, identified by the respective Scientific Societies, throughout Portugal. Ninety-five physicians (85 specialist and 10 trainees with more than 3 years of practice) participated in the survey, including 42 rheumatologists (response rate 28%), 32 dermatologists (12% response) and 21 gastroenterologists (4% response). No information was collected on non-respondents. This study showed that most of the participants were aware of tuberculosis risk and that they screened patients for tuberculosis following guidelines.
authors.affiliation: Centro Hospitalar São João, Porto.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Xerinda
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Predictive Medicine and Public Health, University of Porto Medical School, Porto, Portugal / EPIUnit.
authors.forename: Olena
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Raquel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lucas
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Research Unit, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa.
authors.forename: João Eurico
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Fonseca
authors.affiliation: Centro Hospitalar Vila Nova Gaia Portuguese Society of Dermatology and Venereology.
authors.forename: Paulo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Varela
authors.affiliation: Portugal Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal. ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Br.
authors.forename: Jose
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cotter
authors.affiliation: National Reference Centre for MDRTB Medical School, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal EPIUnit - Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Raquel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Duarte
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D055985:Latent Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D018580:Mandatory Testing; D000079424:Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors
chemical_list: D000079424:Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors