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The potential role of suppressive therapy for sex partners in the prevention of neonatal herpes: a health economic analysis.

Authors :
Barnabas, R.V.
Carabin, H.
Garnett, G.P.
Source :
Sexually Transmitted Infections. Dec2002, Vol. 78 Issue 6, p425-429. 5p. 1 Diagram, 3 Charts, 2 Graphs.
Publication Year :
2002

Abstract

<bold>Background: </bold>The development of suppressive therapy and type specific tests for herpes infections allow for screening to reduce the risk of neonatal herpes.<bold>Objectives: </bold>To assess the potential effectiveness, cost effectiveness, and benefit of suppressive therapy among herpes simplex virus serodiscordant sex partners during pregnancy.<bold>Methods: </bold>Decision and economic analyses are used to compare the incidence and costs of neonatal herpes in California (2000) for three interventions: (1) no management; (2) current guidelines (caesarean delivery for women with lesions); (3) screening for women at risk and use of suppressive treatment in sex partners.<bold>Results: </bold>Screening and suppressive therapy are the most effective interventions, while current guidelines have limited effectiveness, but the latter provide the most cost effective results.<bold>Conclusions: </bold>While current guidelines are cost saving, they forgo a potential 82% decrease in neonatal herpes incidence that would be possible with screening and suppressive therapy if society were willing to pay the necessary US$363 000 per case prevented. To evaluate HSV screening and drug therapy completely, clinical trials and an economic assessment of infant mortality "value" to society are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
13684973
Volume :
78
Issue :
6
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
9719452
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1136/sti.78.6.425