Chlamydia sequelae cost estimates used in current economic evaluations: Does one-size-fit-all?

Koh Jun Ong, Kate Soldan, Mark Jit, J. Kevin Dunbar, Sarah C. Woodhall

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background Current evidence suggests that chlamydia screening programmes can be cost-effective, conditional on assumptions within mathematical models. We explored differences in cost estimates used in published economic evaluations of chlamydia screening from seven countries (four papers each from UK and the Netherlands, two each from Sweden and Australia, and one each from Ireland, Canada and Denmark). Methods From these studies, we extracted management cost estimates for seven major chlamydia sequelae. In order to compare the influence of different sequelae considered in each paper and their corresponding management costs on the total cost per case of untreated chlamydia, we applied reported unit sequelae management costs considered in each paper to a set of untreated infection to sequela progression probabilities. All costs were adjusted to 2013/2014 Great British Pound (GBP) values. Results Sequelae management costs ranged from £171 to £3635 (pelvic inflammatory disease); £953 to £3615 (ectopic pregnancy); £546 to £6752 (tubal factor infertility); £159 to £3341 (chronic pelvic pain); £22 to £1008 (epididymitis); £11 to £1459 (neonatal conjunctivitis) and £433 to £3992 (neonatal pneumonia). Total cost of sequelae per case of untreated chlamydia ranged from £37 to £412. Conclusions There was substantial variation in cost per case of chlamydia sequelae used in published chlamydia screening economic evaluations, which likely arose from different assumptions about disease management pathways and the country perspectives taken. In light of this, when interpreting these studies, the reader should be satisfied that the cost estimates used sufficiently reflect the perspective taken and current disease management for their respective context.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)18-24
Number of pages7
JournalSexually transmitted infections
Volume93
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2017

Keywords

  • CHLAMYDIA INFECTION
  • CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS
  • COST-EFFECTIVENESS
  • ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
  • SCREENING

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Dermatology
  • Infectious Diseases

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Chlamydia sequelae cost estimates used in current economic evaluations: Does one-size-fit-all?'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this