Doxycycline or Ofloxacin for Outpatient Chlamydial Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Author Information
Author(s): Michael J. Rosenberg, Michael S. Waugh
Primary Institution: Health Decisions, Inc. and University of North Carolina
Hypothesis
What is the impact of patient compliance on the costs and benefits of doxycycline versus ofloxacin for treating chlamydial pelvic inflammatory disease?
Conclusion
Improving patient compliance can make the more expensive drug, ofloxacin, more cost-effective than doxycycline.
Supporting Evidence
- An increase in compliance from 50% to 60% could save $2.63 for every $1.00 spent on ofloxacin.
- Even a small increase in compliance can significantly reduce the costs associated with PID sequelae.
- The average cost of PID sequelae is $1,272 per patient.
- Ofloxacin is more expensive but may be more cost-effective if it improves compliance.
- Chlamydia trachomatis is a major contributor to PID, affecting a significant percentage of outpatient cases.
- Patient compliance with doxycycline was found to be around 50% in previous studies.
- Side effects of doxycycline were identified as a major factor affecting patient compliance.
- Improving compliance by just a few percentage points can justify the higher cost of ofloxacin.
Takeaway
If patients take their medicine as they should, it can save a lot of money and prevent serious health problems.
Methodology
The study analyzed the costs and benefits of doxycycline and ofloxacin based on patient compliance and the incidence of PID sequelae.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to reliance on previous estimates for costs and compliance rates.
Limitations
The study relies on assumptions about compliance and the relationship between compliance and cure rates, which may not be accurate.
Participant Demographics
Women aged 15-44 treated for outpatient PID.
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