ASSESSING THE EFFICACY OF RADIOGRAPHIC INTERPRETATIONS IN IDENTIFYING ACTIVE PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS: A STUDY OF CHEST X-RAY SCREENING IN REGION 2, PHILIPPINES

Abstract

This study evaluated the effectiveness of using radiographic interpretations to detect active pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in individuals who received chest X-ray (CXR) screenings as part of the GF-PBSP sponsored TB case-finding campaign in Region 2 of the Philippines in 2022. The study employs a quantitative descriptive cross-sectional approach and analyses of secondary data to investigate trends and patterns in the prevalence of PTB among various demographics and locations. It evaluates the accuracy of CXR results in detecting active PTB by assessing their sensitivity and specificity. The study examines the rates of enrolment, diagnostic follow-up, and bacteriological confirmation among patients with radiographic abnormalities that indicate pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), using data from the Integrated Tuberculosis Information System (ITIS). The results demonstrate a significant rise in active instances of PTB as persons get older, with the elderly population having the largest percentage of cases. The differences in the prevalence of PTB between genders and localities indicate variations in healthcare access and diagnostic techniques. Furthermore, chest X-ray (CXR) readings that show specific findings of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) have a greater ability to predict the presence of the disease and better rates of confirmation by laboratory testing, compared to readings that only suggest the presence of PTB. These findings emphasize the significance of focused TB control measures, improved diagnostic initiatives, and the inclusion of modern imaging tools to ensure precise diagnosis and effective therapy of PTB.