Background
The World Health Organization recommends systematic screening for tuberculosis in incarcerated populations, which are consistently at high risk of tuberculosis relative to the general population. In England, new receptions into prisons do not receive screening for tuberculosis infection, and evidence from economic evaluations is lacking.
Methods
We performed a cost-effectiveness analysis of introducing systematic screening for tuberculosis infection at first reception into English prisons from a health systems perspective. We used a tuberculosis transmission model calibrated to public data on prison populations and flows. We developed decision tree models of prison-specific tuberculosis care pathways and their costs, informed by stakeholders and pilot studies. Sensitivity analyses included eliminating loss to follow-up (LTFU) in care cascades, zeroing extramural escort costs, and targeting screening to those born in countries with higher tuberculosis incidence (over 40 per 100,000 per year).
Findings
In our base case analysis, the intervention had an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of £78,000 per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained. Reducing LTFU and avoiding prison escort costs would substantially improve cost-effectiveness, to ICERs of £70,000 and £54,000 per QALY gained, respectively. Targeting those born in higher incidence countries was predicted to be cost-saving.
Interpretation
Universal tuberculosis screening and preventive treatment for new receptions into English prisons is not cost-effective by the usual threshold of £30,000. However, targeting high-risk groups could be cost-saving. Tuberculosis interventions should explore ways to reduce LTFU and extramural healthcare in order to meet the needs of those incarcerated while minimizing costs.
Funding
UKHSA from 9/2023 to 12/2024.
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)