WHO consolidated guidelines on tuberculosis: module 3: diagnosis: web annex A: list of studies included in systematic review: GRADE profiles: evidence to decision tables

This web annex accompanies the WHO consolidated guidelines on tuberculosis, Module 3: Diagnosis, and provides the evidence base supporting recommendations on tuberculosis diagnostic technologies and approaches. The document compiles studies included in systematic reviews, GRADE evidence profiles and evidence-to-decision tables related to nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) and other diagnostic methods for pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis and drug resistance detection. It covers low-, moderate- and high-complexity diagnostic platforms, including automated and manual NAATs, line probe assays and targeted next-generation sequencing.

The annex summarizes evidence on diagnostic accuracy, patient-important outcomes, cost–effectiveness, feasibility, acceptability and user perspectives across different population groups, including children and people living with HIV. It includes published and unpublished studies from diverse epidemiological and health-care settings and documents the methodological processes used in evidence assessment and guideline development. The publication supports transparency in WHO guideline formulation by presenting the underlying evidence and decision-making considerations used to inform recommendations on tuberculosis diagnosis and detection of drug resistance.