Abstract

PRIETO-MARTINEZ, Víctor et al. Cost-effectiveness of etiologic diagnosis for C. trachomatis infection based on rapid tests versus syndromic approach in non-pregnant women with symptoms of lower genital tract infection. Rev Colomb Obstet Ginecol [online]. 2014, vol.65, n.4, pp.297-307. ISSN 0034-7434.  https://doi.org/10.18597/rcog.33.

Objective: To estimate the cost-effectiveness of etiological approach with rapid tests for C. trachomatis cervicitis versus syndromic diagnosis, in non-pregnant women with symptoms of lower genital tract infection in Colombia. Materials and methods: A decision tree was developed for determining the cost-effectiveness ratio of the aetiological approach using the Acon®Plate, Acon®Duo and QuickVue® quick tests for the detection of C. trachomatis, compared with the syndromic diagnosis. The perspective was that of the Colombian healthcare system, including medical direct costs. The time period was 15 days, considering that the outcome unit was the number of cases identified correctly (number of true positives and true negatives). The operational characteristics of the tests were derived from a cross-sectional study designed and conducted for that specific purpose. Results: The more costly and effective option was QuickVue®, followed by Acon®Plate and the syndromic approach. Acon®Duo was a dominated strategy. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for QuickVue® compared with Acon®Plate was $430.671, and that of Acon®Plate compared with the syndromic approach was $79.747. Conclusion: If the willingness to pay (WTP) for an additional case that is correctly identified is greater than $430.671, QuickVue® would be the best option in cost-effectiveness terms. On the other hand, if the WTP is between $79.747 and $430.671, Acon®Plate would be the cost-effective strategy. Finally, if the WTP is less than $79.747, the syndromic approach would be the best option in cost-effectiveness terms.

Keywords : Cost-benefit analysis; cervicitis; Colombia.

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