Article Text
Abstract
Background/introduction Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an important complication of the sexually transmitted infections Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoea.
Aim(s)/objectives We sought to review the presentation and management of women treated for PID attending our service.
Methods We used the SHHAPT code C5A to identify women diagnosed with PID between 01/06/2015–30/11/2015. We performed a retrospective case note review of all women, collecting demographic data and details of their presentation and management.
Results 50 cases were identified. The women ranged from ages 17–40 years, median 23.5 years. Presenting complaints were pelvic pain (38/50), discharge (21/50), dyspareunia (14/50) and bleeding irregularities (14/50). The majority of women (40/50) reported having a regular male partner, and most (42/50) had had one partner only in the preceding 3 months. 4/50 (8.0%) women tested positive for chlamydia, all of whom were aged less than 25 years. No other sexually transmitted infections were identified. The rate of chlamydia amongst women less than 25 treated for PID was 4/31 (12.9%). Less than half of women (19/50) attended for follow up, and there was documentation of the regular partner attending for treatment in only 14/40 cases.
Discussion/conclusion Our project reflects Chlamydia as an important cause of PID in younger women. This supports the latest guidance recommending repeat Chlamydia screening in under 25s to identify reinfections and reduce the risk of complications such as PID.