The Estimated Lifetime Medical Cost of Syphilis in the United States.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The purpose of this study was to estimate the cost of syphilis in the United States, in terms of the average lifetime direct medical cost per infection.

Methods

We used a decision tree model of the natural history of syphilis. The model allowed for numerous possible outcomes of infection, including treatment for syphilis at various stages, inadvertent treatment, and late syphilis outcomes in those who are alive and still infected 30 years after acquisition. Future costs were discounted at 3% annually. Model inputs, such as the cost and probability of each outcome, were based on published sources. The probabilities we applied yielded outcomes consistent with reported cases of syphilis by stage from national surveillance data and number of deaths due to late syphili

SUBMITTER: Chesson HW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10028531 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature