Healthcare utilization by women in a comprehensive managed care population subsequent to diagnosis of a sexually transmitted disease.

BACKGROUND:

Healthcare utilization (HCU) following a sexually transmitted disease (STD) diagnosis is poorly characterized.

GOAL:

The goal was to quantify HCU for new/recurrent STDs and other relevant Ob-Gyn and mental health problems in the 18 months subsequent to an STD diagnosis.

STUDY DESIGN:

We compared HCU between a group of females aged 18 to 45 years who were Kaiser Permanente Medical Program members with a diagnosed STD (n = 1,205) and a medical center- and age group-matched sample of women seen for a non-STD diagnosis in the same time period (n = 4820), with controlling where appropriate for age, medical center, and chronic disease status.

RESULTS:

An STD diagnosis was associated with significantly greater likelihood of subsequent visits for STDs (relative risk [RR] = 3.8), pelvic inflammatory disease/endometritis (RR = 2.9), candidiasis (RR = 2.0), vaginitis (RR = 2.4), cervical dysplasia (RR = 1.7), menstrual disorders/abnormal bleeding (RR = 1.3), high risk/complicated/ectopic pregnancy (RR = 1.5), and behavioral/mental health problems (RR = 1.3) than for women seen for a non-STD diagnosis.

CONCLUSION:

Detrimental sequelae of STDs are reflected in substantially elevated near-term HCU following an STD diagnosis.