Adolescent Women with Sexually Transmitted Infections: Who Gets Lost to Follow-Up?

Factors associated with the over-treatment and under-treatment of gonorrhea and chlamydia in adolescents presenting to a public hospital emergency department

“…These rates are similar to those reported in two studies, but are substantially higher than other rates reported in the literature. 4,[12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] This study also revealed a disproportionate prevalence of STI infection in black subjects, which is similar to the racial disparities reported by the CDC. 20 The presence or lack of insurance was the only factor that was not associated with OT or UT.…”

“…Currently, guidelines for the empiric treatment of STIs are vague and thus the use of empiric treatment is left to the physician's discretion. 14 The lack of clear guidelines coupled with the prolonged time interval between specimen submission and the availability of results, as well as poor follow-up, may prompt providers to presumptively treat adolescents presenting with STI exposure and GU symptoms. However, OT of an adolescent can create unnecessary emotional trauma secondary to being labeled as having an STI and can potentially harm a monogamous relationship.…”

Adolescents and Young Adults: Targeting the Unique Challenges of This High Risk Group

“…found that in adolescents presenting to the ED with non-genitourinary complaints, the prevalence of STIs was 10% [22]. Given the nature of emergency care and lack of continuity, there is concern that patients testing positive but were not treated in the ED may become lost to follow up, and therefore remain untreated [26]. This needs to be balanced with antibiotic stewardship and development of antibiotic resistant organisms associated with overtreatment [27].…”

Pelvic inflammatory disease in the adolescent

“…Reduction of PID complications can occur by reducing the time from STD screening, obtaining a positive test for chlamydia or gonorrhea, and proper STD treatment for any youth, no matter their circumstances, such as being incarcerated or being in the emergency medicine setting [77,78]. For example, adolescent women may be lost to follow-up from the emergency medicine milieu after getting an STD screen that turns out to be positive [78].…”

“…For example, adolescent women may be lost to follow-up from the emergency medicine milieu after getting an STD screen that turns out to be positive [78].…”