The effect of the Xpert MTB/RIF test on the time to MDR-TB treatment initiation in a rural setting: a cohort study in South Africa’s Eastern Cape Province

Table 5 Time from sputum collection to treatment initiation

Comparisons		Number	IQR (days)	Median	p-value
Time to treatment Initiation (days)	Culture	143	50–103	64	0.0001
	LPA	28	14.5–53	29
	Xpert	114	11–27	18
	Total	285	20–69	49
LPA		28	14.5–53	29	0.0044
Xpert		114	11–27	18	0.0044
LPA		28	14.5–53	29	<0.0001
Culture		143	50–103	64	<0.0001
Xpert		114	11–27	18	<0.0001
Culture		143	50–103	64	<0.0001

ISSN: 1471-2334