A Swedish cost-effectiveness analysis of community-based Chlamydia trachomatis PCR testing of postal urine specimens obtained at home.

Aims: A study was undertaken to assess the cost-effectiveness of identifying and treating asymptomatic carriers of Chlamydia trachomatis when using community-based testing of urine specimens obtained at home and mailed to a central laboratory.

Methods: A total of 100 males and 100 females aged 20-24 living in Umeå were randomly sampled from the population registry. A societal cost-effective analysis was carried out, based on screening and medical care costs in Sweden.

Results: With a participation rate of 55% (45% males and 65% females), the female screening became cost-saving as the C. trachomatis prevalence exceeded 5.1%, and the male screening became cost-saving with over 12.3% prevalence.

Conclusion: Postal screening for C. trachomatis in an asymptomatic young population can be cost-effective only at prevalences higher than at present.