This document is a summary of the 2007 update of recommendations of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) on screening for chlamydial infection. This summary is intended for use by primary care clinicians.
For a summary of the evidence systematically reviewed in making these recommendations, the full recommendation statement (PDF File, 350 KB; PDF Help), and supporting documents, go to http://www.preventiveservices.ahrq.gov.
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| Population | Non-Pregnant Women | Pregnant Women | Men | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 years and younger | 25 years and older | 24 years and younger | 25 years and older | ||||
Includes adolescents |
Not at increased risk |
At increased risk |
Includes adolescents |
Not at increased risk |
At increased risk |
||
| Recommendation | A Screen if Sexually Active |
C | A Screen if Sexually Active |
B Screen |
C | B Screen |
No recommendation due to insufficient evidence1 |
| Risk Assessment | Age: Women and men aged 24 years and younger are at greatest risk. History of: Previous Chlamydial infection or other sexually transmitted infections, new or multiple sexual partners, inconsistent condom use, sex work. Demographics: African-Americans and Hispanic women and men have higher prevalence rates than the general population in many communities. |
||||||
| Screening Tests | Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) can identify chlamydial infection in asymptomatic women (non-pregnant and pregnant) and asymptomatic men. NAATs have high specificity and sensitivity and can be used with urine and vaginal swabs. | ||||||
| Screening Intervals | Non-Pregnant Women The optimal interval for screening is not known. The CDC recommends that women at increased risk be screened at least annually.2 |
Pregnant Women For women 24 years and younger and older women at increased risk: Screen at the first prenatal visit. For patients at continuing risk, or who are newly at risk: Screen in the 3rd trimester. |
Not applicable |
||||
| Treatment | The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has outlined appropriate treatment at: http://www.cdc.gov/STD/treatment. Test and/or treat partners of patients treated for Chlamydial infection. | ||||||
1. Chlamydial infection results in few sequelae in men. Therefore, the major benefit of screening men would be to reduce the likelihood that infected and untreated men would pass the infection to sexual partners. There is no evidence that screening men reduces the long-term consequences of chlamydial infection in women. Because of this lack of evidence, the USPSTF was not able to assess the balance of benefits and harms, and concluded that the evidence is insufficient to recommend for or against routinely screening men.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines, 2006. MMWR 2006. 55(No. RR-11).
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Source: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for Chlamydial Infection: Clinical Summary of U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendations. Ann Intern Med 2007;147(2):131.
AHRQ Publication No. 07-05101-EF-3
Current as of June 2007
Internet Citation:
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for Chlamydial Infection: Clinical Summary (Text Version). June 2007. First published in Ann Intern Med 2007;147(2):131. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf07/chlamydia/chalcsum.htm
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