Should asymptomatic patients be tested for Chlamydia trachomatis in general practice?

Routine testing for Chlamydia trachomatis during gynaecological examinations has been suggested as a preventive measure against pelvic inflammatory disease and other health risks associated with chlamydial genital infections. This study examined the cost and effectiveness of routine testing for C trachomatis in general practice. An epidemiological model was used to predict how routine testing and treatment of positive cases would affect the future number of cases of pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility and ectopic pregnancy in a general practice population. The cost of routine test and treatment, and savings resulting from prevented future morbidity, were also estimated. For the population under study, a routine test for chlamydial infections in asymptomatic 18-24 year old women during gynaecological examinations was found to be cost effective but this was not the case for older women. At least two years should elapse between repeated tests.