| Evaluation of syphilis reactor grids: optimizing impact. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 12972793 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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BACKGROUND: A syphilis reactor grid (SRG) is an administrative tool based on the sex, age, and serologic titer of persons with reactive serologic tests for syphilis (reactors) that is used by Sexually Transmitted Disease program staff to prioritize follow-up investigations of persons who may have syphilis. The National Plan to Eliminate Syphilis from the United States recommends that state and local health departments regularly evaluate the effectiveness of their SRGs. However, there are limited methods for SRG evaluation that are feasible for sexually transmitted disease programs. GOAL: To evaluate the sensitivity and predictive value of five currently used SRGs. STUDY DESIGN: Comparative evaluation of five SRGs in four different populations. RESULTS: The percentage of true syphilis cases not assigned to an investigation by an SRG (missed cases) was dependent on syphilis prevalence among reactors and on the SRG. The percentage of reactors assigned to an investigation by an SRG that were not true cases was primarily dependent on syphilis prevalence among reactors, not SRG design. Cases missed by SRGs were predominantly men aged 30 to 50 years and women aged 20 to 40 years who had low or intermediate serologic titers. CONCLUSION: Monitoring the prevalence of syphilis among reactors is critical because in areas with high prevalence, most SRGs miss a substantial number of cases, and in areas with low prevalence, some SRGs can reduce unnecessary investigations. |
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Authors:
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Joshua K Schaffzin; Emilia H Koumans; Richard H Kahn; Lauri E Markowitz |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Comparative Study; Evaluation Studies; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Sexually transmitted diseases Volume: 30 ISSN: 0148-5717 ISO Abbreviation: Sex Transm Dis Publication Date: 2003 Sep |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2003-09-15 Completed Date: 2003-10-27 Revised Date: 2006-11-15 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 7705941 Medline TA: Sex Transm Dis Country: United States |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 700-6 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Division of STD Prevention, National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Protection, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA. |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Adolescent Adult Aged False Negative Reactions Female Humans Male Massachusetts / epidemiology Middle Aged Predictive Value of Tests Prevalence Prisoners / statistics & numerical data San Francisco / epidemiology Sensitivity and Specificity Seroepidemiologic Studies* Syphilis / diagnosis*, epidemiology*, etiology Syphilis Serodiagnosis / methods, standards* Tennessee / epidemiology Wisconsin / epidemiology |
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