Abstract
Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of a 3-day course of doxycycline to a standard 7-day course for treating uncomplicated chlamydia cervicitis.Methods: During an 18-month period, 77 women with uncomplicated chlamydia cervicitis were randomized to receive either a 3-day or a 7-day course of doxycycline (100 mg twice daily). Tests of cure were performed 3 weeks after completion of therapy with the Amplicor polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay (Roche Molecular Systems, Branchburg, NJ). Demographics, therapeutic results, and side effects for the two groups were compared.Results: Seventy-three patients completed the study: 35 in the 3-day group and 38 in the 7-day group. There were no significant differences in age, gravidity, or parity between the groups. There was a 94% (33/35) cure rate in the 3-day group and a 95% (36/38) cure rate in the 7-day group (P = 1.0). Thirty-four percent and 32% of the patients in the 3- and 7-day groups reported side effects, respectively; there was no significant differences between the 3- and 7-day groups in regard to population demographics, patient compliance, therapeutic outcome, or side effects.Conclusions: A 3-day course of doxycycline appears to be as effective as a 7-day course of doxycycline for the treatment of uncomplicated chlamydia cervicitis.