PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - I Simms
AU  - J M Stephenson
AU  - H Mallinson
AU  - R W Peeling
AU  - K Thomas
AU  - R Gokhale
AU  - P A Rogers
AU  - P Hay
AU  - P Oakeshott
AU  - J Hopwood
AU  - H Birley
AU  - M Hernon
TI  - Risk factors associated with pelvic inflammatory disease
AID  - 10.1136/sti.2005.019539
DP  - 2006 Dec 01
TA  - Sexually Transmitted Infections
PG  - 452--457
VI  - 82
IP  - 6
4099  - http://sti.bmj.com/content/82/6/452.short
4100  - http://sti.bmj.com/content/82/6/452.full
SO  - Sex Transm Infect2006 Dec 01; 82
AB  - Objective: To investigate factors associated with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Methods: A case–control study was used to investigate demographic and behavioural factors, and causative agents associated with PID. Results: A total of 381 participants were recruited: 140 patients, and 105 and 136 controls in tubal ligation and general practice groups, respectively. When compared with a PID-free tubal ligation control group, increased risk of PID was associated with: age <25 years; age at first sexual intercourse <20 years; non-white ethnicity; not having had children; a self-reported history of a sexually transmitted disease; and exposure to Chlamydia trachomatis. When compared with a general practice control group, increased risk was associated with: age <25 years; age at first sexual intercourse <15 years; lower socioeconomic status; being single; adverse pregnancy outcome; a self-reported history of a sexually transmitted disease; and exposure to C trachomatis. Of the cases, 64% were not associated with any of the infectious agents measured in this study (idiopathic). Conclusions: A high proportion of cases were idiopathic. PID control strategies, which currently focus on chlamydial screening, have to be reviewed so that they can prevent all cases of PID. Behavioural change is a key factor in the primary prevention of PID, and potential modifiable risk factors were associated with PID.