[Asymptomatic genital infection by Chlamydia trachomatis in women. A cost analysis of control check-ups]

Asymptomatic genital infection by Chlamydia trachomatis is common in women, and one or more consultations to test for cure is the routine practice. We have compared the economic implications of two post-treatment regimens: 1) no control, and 2) one control involving a single test for C trachomatis, with renewed treatment and another test for cure in women who were chlamydia-positive, etc. The costs of the control regimen were double those of the no-control regimen. With no control, 79 more cases of pelvic inflammatory disease, eight more cases of infertility requiring work-up and two more cases of ectopic pregnancy would occur per 10,000 patients. We conclude that routine post-treatment control of asymptomatic genital chlamydial infections is not cost beneficial.