Unveiling the Cost-Effectiveness of Chlamydia Screening Strategies: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND

Cost-effectiveness analyses of preventive screening strategies are paramount for public health to ensure effective resource use, especially for sexually transmitted infections such as Chlamydia, which lead to significant quality-adjusted life years (QALY) loss.

SUMMARY

This study systematically reviewed EMBASE, PubMed, and SCOPUS databases, from inception to October 2022, Chlamydia infection screening strategies' cost-effectiveness studies analyzing Incremental Cost Effectiveness Ratio (ICER) of QALYs versus no screening. Out of 487 studies, six were included, each employing distinct screening approaches, assumptions, and prevalence and incidence rates. The ICERs varied from USD 2,350/QALY gained with annual screening of women aged 15-24 years to EUR 117,529/QALY gained with women and men screening (age 16-29).

KEY MESSAGES

The results underscore the impact of the different assumptions on ICERs and highlight the importance of precise epidemiology on Chlamydia infections. Studies characterizing the local population are crucial for accurate cost-effectiveness analysis and public health policy formulation.