Long-term sequelae of acute pelvic inflammatory disease. A retrospective cohort study

S Safrin, Sharon Safrin, J Schachter, Julius Schachter, D Dahrouge, Donna Dahrouge, R L Sweet, Richard L. Sweet
American journal of obstetrics and gynecology · 1992 · vol. 166(4) , pp. 1300–1305 · doi:10.1016/s0002-9378(11)90626-7 · PMID:1566789 · W1964936119
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This study found that 24% of women with acute pelvic inflammatory disease experienced chronic pelvic pain, 43% had recurrent disease, and 40% were infertile, with prior PID and risk factors predicting worse outcomes.

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to prospectively assess the frequency and predictors of long-term sequelae of acute pelvic inflammatory disease. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a retrospective cohort study of 140 women admitted for treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease to San Francisco General Hospital in 1985, locating and interviewing 51 women by telephone a median of 37 months later. RESULTS: Twelve (24%) women had pelvic pain for 6 months or more after hospitalization, 22 (43%) had subsequent episode(s) of pelvic inflammatory disease, and 40% were involuntarily infertile. A history of pelvic inflammatory disease prior to admission was associated with infertility (p = 0.05), chronic pelvic pain (p = 0.03), and pelvic inflammatory disease subsequent to hospitalization (p = 0.06). Longer duration of abdominopelvic pain before admission and younger age at the time of first sexual intercourse were associated with both infertility (p = 0.02, p = 0.04) and subsequent pelvic inflammatory disease (p = 0.04, p = 0.0008). CONCLUSIONS: Further studies are needed to more accurately assess the incidence and predictors of long-term sequelae of pelvic inflammatory disease. A reduction in adverse outcome will require more stringent efforts at education and reduction of risk-taking behaviors.

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MeSH descriptors

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Acute Disease Adult Age Factors Cohort Studies Coitus Female Forecasting Humans Infertility, Female Infertility, Female Interviews as Topic Pain Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Pelvis Retrospective Studies

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