Costs and effects of chlamydial screening: Dynamic versus static modeling

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the impact of modeling type on the economic evaluation of screening programs for asymptomatic Chlamydia trachomatis infections.

Study: We compared a stochastic network simulation model (dynamic model) with a decision analysis model (static model) for estimating the cost-effectiveness of an opportunistic screening program. The influence of the model type on the required data, the computed results, and the sensitivity of model parameters were investigated.

Results: When compared with static modeling, dynamic modeling yielded different cost-effectiveness ratios and identified other optimal screening strategies as it considers changes in the force of infection caused by screening. However, it is more complex, data- and time-demanding, and more sensitive to some parameters affecting the force of infection than static modeling.

Conclusions: Dynamic models should be applied for the economic evaluation of prevention measures that have the potential to lower the force of infection such as large-scale chlamydial screening programs.