Survey details: It was the first-of-its-kind cross-sectional survey in Tamil Nadu, involving over 130,000 participants.
The study found that chest X-rays were crucial for detecting TB, especially in asymptomatic individuals (without symptoms).
Nearly 40% of confirmed TB cases had no symptoms and would have been missed without X-rays.
The traditional method, smear microscopy, missed a significant portion (almost 50%) of TB cases compared to a more advanced test (CBNAAT).
The authors recommend increased use of molecular tests like CBNAAT for better accuracy.
The authors advocate for using chest X-rays alongside improved diagnostic tests like CBNAAT for earlier detection and breaking the transmission chain.
This approach could significantly improve the yield of active case finding efforts in India.
Overall, the study emphasizes the importance of chest X-rays and advanced diagnostic methods for effectively controlling TB, particularly by identifying subclinical cases that would otherwise be missed.
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