WCN26-4634 EXPLORING HEMODIALYSIS PATIENT EXPERIENCES & CHALLENGES IN GUYANA: A QUALITATIVE RESEARCH STUDY

Table 1.(Continued) Demographic and clinical profile of the patients included in the study Characteristic Numbers Hypertension 2214 (42.5%)Ischemic Heart Disease 76 (1.46%) Thyroid Disorder 150 (2.88%) Recent Hospitalisation 33 (0.63%) HIV Positive 1 (0.02%) On Immunosuppressants 164 (3.15%) Went through algorithm 4868 (93.5%)Tested by CBNAAT 380 (7.30%) Consented for TBI testing 2,261 (43.4%)Went through complete Cy-TB algorithm 1526 (29.3%)Table 2. TB diagnosis characteristics of the patients included in the study Characteristic Numbers TB infection positive 624/1526 (40.9%)Cy-TB positive 314/1088 (28.88%)IGRA positive 463/1008 (45.9%)Clinical EPTB 20/5202 (0.38%) Clinical PTB 24/5202 (0.46%) Microbiological EPTB 13/5202 (0.24%) Microbiological PTB 39/5202 (0.75%) Conclusion:Project FOSTER is the first global initiative to simultaneously quantify the burden of active and latent TB among CKD patients using an integrated, dual-modality screening pathway.The prevalence of both active TB and LTBI in CKD was markedly higher than in the general population, underscoring a significant hidden burden in this vulnerable group.The project demonstrated that comprehensive TB screening within nephrology OPDs is feasible, scalable, and effective, paving the way for integration of TB surveillance into CKD management frameworks.The Cy-TB test exhibited high specificity relative to IGRA, suggesting its utility as a costeffective first-line screening tool in resource-limited settings.This study establishes an operational model for TB-renal program integration and provides robust evidence for policy-level adoption to strengthen TB and NCD control initiatives worldwide.I have no potential conflict of interest to disclose.I did not use generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in the writing process.