Acute pelvic inflammatory disease: a clinical follow-up

Abstract

One hundred eighty-two women were diagnosed by laparoscopy as having an initial episode of acute pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). The classification of PID was based on a modification of Westrom's criteria. Antibiotic treatment followed recommended protocols established by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Each year, the woman is contacted to complete a questionnaire detailing her reproductive history, presence of pelvic pain, and menstrual history, as well as other miscellaneous gynecologic history. The study covers a follow-up interval of six months to 8 years. The results are categorized according to the severity of the acute PID, as well as the time elapsed since the infection. A psychological investigation of post-PID pain was performed, and yielded accurate prediction of whether or not pain had been reported by a patient during the acute phase of the disease. Results indicate an increased incidence of involuntary sterility as the disease progresses in severity. The occurrence of ectopic pregnancy is increased for all stages of PID, but most particularly, following tubo-ovarian abscess. The long-term consequences of a single episode of acute PID are often severe.