Chlamydia trachomatis infections : is screening cost-effective?

Abstract

Sexually transmitted Chlamydial infections are widespread, and cause major social, medical, and economic problems. Chlamydial infections are approximately 15 times more common than gonococcal infections. Chlamydial infections are usually asymptomatic. Thus, universal screening is the key to the prevention of Chlamydial infections and their longterm sequelae. The key for screening is a rapid and reliable high performance diagnostic test. Many women can benefit from PCR-based screening. However, comprehensive socio-economic analyses are urgently needed to augment decision makers to make informed decisions of allocation of health resources. Preliminary studies suggest that Chlamydia screening is cost-effective since Chlamydial infections can be treated. The cost of Chlamydia screening is minimal compared to the costs created by undetected Chlamydial infections. Such evaluations are important to link prevention of STDs to prevention of infertility and adverse pregnancy outcome in public mind, and also help to link the cost of IVF or adverse pregnancy outcome to STDs in health care providers and legislators minds.