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Productivity losses attributable to untreated chlamydial infection
and associated pelvic inflammatory disease in reproductive-aged women.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases 2006; 33(10):S117-S121.
Blandford JM, Gift TL.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The productivity losses attributable to disease-related
morbidity and mortality impose a burden on society in general and on employers
in particular. A reliable assessment of the productivity losses associated
with untreated infection with Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) would complement
earlier work on direct medical costs and contribute to an estimate of the
full cost of chlamydial disease. GOAL: The goal of this study was to estimate
the discounted lifetime productivity losses attributable to untreated chlamydial
infection in reproductive-aged women. STUDY DESIGN: We developed a cost model
using Monte Carlo methods to estimate the lifetime discounted productivity
losses attributable to untreated lower genital tract Ct infection among reproductive-aged
women. The model considered the impact of disability resulting from acute
pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) associated with untreated Ct infection
and from the sequelae of acute PID, including chronic pelvic pain, ectopic
pregnancy, and infertility. To accommodate disparate Ct infection rates and
labor market characteristics across age groups, we matched age-based risk
factors for Ct infection with labor market patterns. Data sources included
the 2001 National Chlamydia Surveillance Data, the 2001 Current Population
Survey, and published literature. RESULTS: Estimates indicate that the mean
weighted productivity losses per untreated Ct infection were approximately
US dollars 130 (in year 2001 dollars). Mean weighted productivity losses
per case of acute PID were estimated at US dollars 649. Estimated productivity
losses were highly correlated with age, reflecting age-dependent differences
in labor market characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: The productivity losses attributable
to untreated infection with Ct and to sequelae of this infection form a substantial
portion of the total economic burden of disease. Effective programs to prevent
chlamydial infection and effective screening, diagnosis, and treatment of
Ct-infected women may reduce productivity losses and substantially lessen
the economic burden of disease to employers.