OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency and patterns of recurrent Chlamydia trachomatis infections, the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection in young women. DESIGN: Cohort study using different data collection methods, including face-to-face interviews, medical record reviews, urine-based screening for C trachomatis infections, and a review of state health department reports of C trachomatis diagnoses. SETTING: Ten community-based health centers that provided reproductive health care from June 1998 to September 2001. PARTICIPANTS: Eligibility criteria included being nulliparous, between the ages of 14 and 19 years, and human immunodeficiency virus-negative, all at the time of recruitment. This convenience sample (N = 411) was recruited by word of mouth, clinician referrals, and advertisements in the clinics. Prospective follow-up data were available for 93.9% (386/411) of the sample. The exposure of interest was prior chlamydia infection. Main Outcome Measure Diagnosis of recurrent C trachomatis infection. RESULTS: During the follow-up period of 23 318 person-months (mean, 4.7 years per person), 216 participants (52.6%) were diagnosed as having C trachomatis infection, and 123 participants (29.9% of the total sample and 56.9% of those with initial infections) were diagnosed as having recurrent C trachomatis infections. Of 456 C trachomatis diagnoses made during the study period, 241 (52.9%) were recurrent infections. The rate of recurrent infections was 42.1 per 1000 person-months. The median time to recurrent infection was 5.2 months. CONCLUSION: Recurrent C trachomatis infections comprise a substantial health burden among young women, possibly higher than previously recognized in this vulnerable population.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency and patterns of recurrent Chlamydia trachomatis infections, the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection in young women. DESIGN: Cohort study using different data collection methods, including face-to-face interviews, medical record reviews, urine-based screening for C trachomatis infections, and a review of state health department reports of C trachomatis diagnoses. SETTING: Ten community-based health centers that provided reproductive health care from June 1998 to September 2001. PARTICIPANTS: Eligibility criteria included being nulliparous, between the ages of 14 and 19 years, and human immunodeficiency virus-negative, all at the time of recruitment. This convenience sample (N = 411) was recruited by word of mouth, clinician referrals, and advertisements in the clinics. Prospective follow-up data were available for 93.9% (386/411) of the sample. The exposure of interest was prior chlamydia infection. Main Outcome Measure Diagnosis of recurrent C trachomatis infection. RESULTS: During the follow-up period of 23 318 person-months (mean, 4.7 years per person), 216 participants (52.6%) were diagnosed as having C trachomatis infection, and 123 participants (29.9% of the total sample and 56.9% of those with initial infections) were diagnosed as having recurrent C trachomatis infections. Of 456 C trachomatis diagnoses made during the study period, 241 (52.9%) were recurrent infections. The rate of recurrent infections was 42.1 per 1000 person-months. The median time to recurrent infection was 5.2 months. CONCLUSION: Recurrent C trachomatis infections comprise a substantial health burden among young women, possibly higher than previously recognized in this vulnerable population.
Authors: Andrea Swartzendruber; Jessica M Sales; Jennifer L Brown; Teaniese Latham Davis; Ralph J DiClemente; Eve Rose Journal: Sex Transm Infect Date: 2012-12-12 Impact factor: 3.519
Authors: Byron E Batteiger; Wanzhu Tu; Susan Ofner; Barbara Van Der Pol; Diane R Stothard; Donald P Orr; Barry P Katz; J Dennis Fortenberry Journal: J Infect Dis Date: 2010-01-01 Impact factor: 5.226
Authors: Anna Buchsbaum; Maria F Gallo; Maura K Whiteman; Carrie Cwiak; Peggy Goedken; Joan Marie Kraft; Denise J Jamieson; Melissa Kottke Journal: Infect Dis Obstet Gynecol Date: 2014-12-25