Details of systematic review undertaken for the guideline

The evidence base for this guideline was synthesised in accordance with SIGN methodology. A systematic review of the literature was carried out using an explicit search strategy devised by the SIGN Information Officer in collaboration with members of the guideline development group. Searches were carried out on Medline, Embase, Social citation index, Cinahl and the Cochrane Library.

Articles relating to Chlamydia pneumoniae were excluded. All articles that were not related to the treatment of genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection were excluded. Where sufficient evidence was felt to be available in the English literature, the non-English literature was not reviewed. Studies involving drugs that are not available in the UK, studies from developing countries and those focusing specifically on HIV/AIDS were also excluded.

Papers were only included if they adhered to recognisable methodological principles, including adequate sample size, a clearly identified hypothesis and measure of outcome, and accurate reporting of results. Whenever possible randomised trials have been discussed, but due to the paucity of sound randomised controlled trials in some of the areas covered by the remit of this guideline, a number of clinical studies have also been included.

In relation to the antimicrobial treatment of Chlamydia trachomatis, studies reporting small numbers (<50 cases), and those not specifically relating to chlamydial infection were excluded.