Aim: Vaginitis and other vaginal discharge syndromes lead to high healthcare utilization. Molecular tests like syndromic multiplex real-time (RT) polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based tests are highly sensitive and specific at diagnosing the infectious causes of vaginitis. This study compared the healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and direct all-cause healthcare costs among patients with vaginitis in the US receiving next-day syndromic multiplex RT-PCR tests with those receiving other PCR tests or no diagnostic test of interest. Patients &amp; methods: This retrospective study utilized claims data from IQVIA PharMetrics ® Plus database to identify adult patients with a diagnosis for vaginitis (first claim = index) from January 2021 to April 2023, with 6 months of continuous enrollment prior to (baseline) and after index (follow-up). Pairwise comparisons were conducted between RT-PCR and 1:1 propensity matched Other PCR and No Test subcohorts for all-cause HCRU and costs during follow-up. Results: Each of the RT-PCR, Other PCR and No Test subcohorts included 1946 matched patients. Mean(SD) follow-up total cost was significantly lower for the RT-PCR than the No Test subcohort ($5607 [$15,122] vs $6680 [$20,751], p = 0.0023). Mean(SD) overall outpatient and other medical service costs were lower for RT-PCR versus Other PCR (outpatient: $2964 [$9666] vs $3174 [$7113], p = 0.0110; other medical: $1961 [$9244] vs $2099 [$6475], p = 0.0002) and No Test subcohorts (outpatient: $2964 [$9666] vs $4067 [$12,341], p &lt; 0.0001; other medical: $1961 [$9244] vs $2973 [$11,685]; p &lt; 0.0001). A lower proportion had any outpatient service HCRU in RT-PCR versus Other PCR subcohort (92.6% vs 94.2%, p = 0.0349). A lower proportion had any other medical service claim in RT-PCR versus Other PCR (78.3% vs 83.2%, p &lt; 0.0001) and No Test subcohorts (78.3% vs 83.0%, p = 0.0001). Physician office, emergency room (ER), prescription use and costs were similar between the subcohorts. Conclusion: The use of syndromic multiplex RT-PCR diagnostics with next day test results in patients with vaginitis was associated with lower outpatient costs and total healthcare costs than those in the no test cohort over 6 months. These findings indicate that use of syndromic multiplex RT-PCR diagnostics may contribute to improved patient management compared with clinical diagnosis alone.

Azia Evans

Riddhi Doshi

Jason Yeaw

Katharine Coyle

Steven Goldberg

Elizabeth Wang

Maren S Fragala

Jairus Reddy

Journal of Comparative Effectiveness Research

《比较有效性研究杂志》为辩论、新发现和研究方法的展示提供了一个快速出版平台。通过严格的评估和全面的报道，《比较有效性研究杂志》为利益相关者（包括患者、临床医生、医疗保健购买者和卫生政策制定者）​​掌握关键数据和意见，以便就临床实践做出明智和具体的决定。

The Journal of Comparative Effectiveness Research provides a rapid publication platform for the discussion of debates, new findings, and research methodologies. Through rigorous evaluation and comprehensive reporting, the journal assists stakeholders—including patients, clinicians, healthcare purchasers, and health policymakers—in grasping key data and insights to make informed and specific decisions in clinical practice.

《比较有效性研究杂志》为辩论、新发现和研究方法的展示提供了一个快速出版平台。通过严格的评估和全面的报道，该杂志帮助利益相关者（包括患者、临床医生、医疗保健购买者和卫生政策制定者）掌握关键数据和观点，以便在临床实践中做出明智和具体的决策。

Category	Quartile
医学	4
医学, 卫生保健与服务	4

Healthcare utilization and costs following molecular diagnostic testing among patients with vaginitis

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Journal Info

Category	Quartile
HEALTH CARE SCIENCES & SERVICES	3