SCREENING for the sexually transmitted disease chlamydia seems to make perfect sense. Most carriers of the bacterium show no symptoms at first, so testing is the only way doctors can identify who needs treatment and so help protect women from the pelvic inflammatory disease or infertility that can result.
“Every averted case of pelvic inflammatory disease or infertility could cost £22,000”
However, a study now suggests that proactive screening – in which patients are invited to attend clinics for testing – represents poor value for money. This approach to screening is currently being piloted in England, says Pelham Barton…
