Search

Background: Risk of pelvic inflammatory disease associated with Chlamydia trachomatis and Mycoplasma genitalium is increased after termination of pregnancy (TOP) and may be increased after insertion of intrauterine devices (IUDs). Screening prior to these procedures is recommended only for C. trachomatis . We examined C. trachomatis and M. genitalium prevalence and associated factors among women presenting to a pregnancy termination and contraception service over 10 years., Methods: Retrospective analysis of clinical data collected from 17 573 women aged 15-45 years in 2009-2019 and for 266 M . genitalium positive women tested for macrolide resistance-associated mutations in 2016-2019., Results: C. trachomatis and M. genitalium prevalence was 3.7% and 3.4%, respectively. In multivariable analyses, shared risk factors were younger age (p<0.001, for both C. trachomatis and M. genitalium ), socioeconomic disadvantage (p=0.045 and p=0.008, respectively) and coinfection (p<0.001, for both sexually transmitted infections), with 10.1% of C. trachomatis positive women also positive for M. genitalium . Additional risk factors were earlier year of visit (p=0.001) for C. trachomatis and for M. genitalium residing outside a major city (p=0.013). The proportion of M. genitalium infections tested between 2016 and 2019 with macrolide resistance-associated mutations was 32.7%., Conclusions: Given the high level of antimicrobial resistance and the prevalence of coinfection, testing C. trachomatis positive women for M. genitalium could be considered in this setting to prevent further spread of resistant infections. Further research is required into the causal link between M. genitalium and pelvic inflammatory disease in women undergoing TOP and IUD insertion., Competing Interests: Competing interests: SMG reports personal fees from Merck, grants from Merck, other from Merck, outside the submitted work. GM reports grants from Innovations Connections and grants from Victorian Medical Research Acceleration Fund, outside the submitted work. CB reports Melbourne Sexual Health Centre has received research support from SpeeDx Pty Ltd., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2022. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Objectives: The clinical and public health relevance of widespread case finding by testing for asymptomatic chlamydia infections is under debate. We wanted to explore future directions for chlamydia control and generate insights that might guide for evidence-based strategies. In particular, we wanted to know the extent to which we should pursue testing for asymptomatic infections at both genital and extragenital sites., Methods: We synthesised findings from published literature and from discussions among national and international chlamydia experts during an invitational workshop. We described changing perceptions in chlamydia control to inform the development of recommendations for future avenues for chlamydia control in the Netherlands., Results: Despite implementing a range of interventions to control chlamydia, there is no practice-based evidence that population prevalence can be reduced by screening programmes or widespread opportunistic testing. There is limited evidence about the beneficial effect of testing on pelvic inflammatory disease prevention. The risk of tubal factor infertility resulting from chlamydia infection is low and evidence on the preventable fraction remains uncertain. Overdiagnosis and overtreatment with antibiotics for self-limiting and non-viable infections have contributed to antimicrobial resistance in other pathogens and may affect oral, anal and genital microbiota. These changing insights could affect the outcome of previous cost-effectiveness analysis., Conclusion: The balance between benefits and harms of widespread testing to detect asymptomatic chlamydia infections is changing. The opinion of our expert group deviates from the existing paradigm of 'test and treat' and suggests that future strategies should reduce, rather than expand, the role of widespread testing for asymptomatic chlamydia infections., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2021. Re-use permitted under CC BY. Published by BMJ.)

Importance: Chlamydia and gonorrhea are among the most common sexually transmitted infections in the US. Infection rates are highest among adolescents and young adults of both sexes. Chlamydial and gonococcal infections in women are usually asymptomatic and may lead to pelvic inflammatory disease and its associated complications. Newborns of pregnant persons with untreated infection may develop neonatal chlamydial pneumonia or gonococcal or chlamydial ophthalmia. Infection in men may lead to urethritis and epididymitis. Both types of infection can increase risk of acquiring or transmitting HIV., Objective: To update its 2014 recommendation, the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) commissioned a systematic review to evaluate the benefits and harms of screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea in sexually active adolescents and adults, including pregnant persons., Population: Asymptomatic, sexually active adolescents and adults, including pregnant persons., Evidence Assessment: The USPSTF concludes with moderate certainty that screening for chlamydia in all sexually active women 24 years or younger and in women 25 years or older who are at increased risk for infection has moderate net benefit. The USPSTF concludes with moderate certainty that screening for gonorrhea in all sexually active women 24 years or younger and in women 25 years or older who are at increased risk for infection has moderate net benefit. The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea in men., Recommendation: The USPSTF recommends screening for chlamydia in all sexually active women 24 years or younger and in women 25 years or older who are at increased risk for infection. (B recommendation) The USPSTF recommends screening for gonorrhea in all sexually active women 24 years or younger and in women 25 years or older who are at increased risk for infection. (B recommendation) The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea in men. (I statement).

Importance: The 2014 US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendation statement supported the effectiveness of screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea in asymptomatic, sexually active women 24 years or younger and in older women at increased risk for infection, although evidence for screening in men was insufficient., Objective: To update the 2014 USPSTF review on screening for chlamydial and gonococcal infection in adults and adolescents, including those who are pregnant., Data Sources: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Ovid MEDLINE (January 1, 2014, through May 28, 2020) with surveillance through May 21, 2021., Study Selection: Randomized clinical trials and observational studies of screening effectiveness, accuracy of risk stratification and alternative screening methods, accuracy of tests, and screening harms., Data Extraction and Synthesis: One investigator abstracted data; a second checked accuracy. Two investigators independently assessed study quality., Main Outcomes and Measures: Complications of infection; infection transmission or acquisition; diagnostic accuracy of anatomical site-specific testing and collection methods; screening harms., Results: Twenty-seven studies were included (N = 179 515). Chlamydia screening compared with no screening was significantly associated with reduced risk of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in 2 of 4 trials and with reduced hospital-diagnosed PID (0.24% vs 0.38%); relative risk, 0.6 [95% CI, 0.4-1.0]), but not clinic-diagnosed PID or epididymitis, in the largest trial. In studies of risk prediction instruments in asymptomatic women, age younger than 22 years demonstrated comparable accuracy to extensive criteria. Sensitivity of chlamydial testing was similar at endocervical (89%-100%) and self- and clinician-collected vaginal (90%-100%) sites for women and at meatal (100%), urethral (99%), and rectal (92%) sites for men but lower at pharyngeal sites (69.2%) for men who have sex with men. Sensitivity of gonococcal testing was 89% or greater for all anatomical samples. False-positive and false-negative testing rates were low across anatomical sites and collection methods., Conclusions and Relevance: Screening for chlamydial infection was significantly associated with a lower risk of PID in young women. Risk prediction criteria demonstrated limited accuracy beyond age. Testing for asymptomatic chlamydial and gonococcal infections was highly accurate at most anatomical sites, including urine and self-collected specimens. Effectiveness of screening in men and during pregnancy, optimal screening intervals, and adverse effects of screening require further evaluation.

Murine models of Neisseria gonorrhoeae lower reproductive tract infection are valuable systems for studying N. gonorrhoeae adaptation to the female host and immune responses to infection. These models have also accelerated preclinical testing of candidate therapeutic and prophylactic products against gonorrhea. However, because N. gonorrhoeae infection is restricted to the murine cervicovaginal region, there is a need for an in vivo system for translational work on N. gonorrhoeae pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Here we discuss the need for well-characterized preclinical upper reproductive tract infection models for developing candidate products against N. gonorrhoeae PID, and report a refinement of the gonorrhea mouse model that supports sustained upper reproductive tract infection. To establish this new model for vaccine testing, we also tested the licensed meningococcal 4CMenB vaccine, which cross-protects against murine N. gonorrhoeae lower reproductive tract infection, for efficacy against N. gonorrhoeae in the endometrium and oviducts following transcervical or vaginal challenge., (Published by Oxford University Press for the Infectious Diseases Society of America 2021.)

Background: Chlamydia is the most commonly diagnosed bacterial sexually transmissible infection (STI) in Australia, with most infections diagnosed and managed in general practice. Often asymptomatic, left untreated it can cause serious reproductive complications in women. There is now global recognition of the importance of enhanced chlamydia case management to reduce the risk of repeat infection and minimise harms of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)., Objective: The aim of this article is to provide evidence-based information and resources to help general practitioners engage in partner management and retesting as part of routine STI care, in accordance with Australia's Fourth National Sexually Transmissible Infections Strategy: 2018-2022, and to provide up-to-date evidence about anorectal chlamydia and other emerging concerns in women., Discussion: Evidence-based information and strategies for partner management and retesting the index case are provided in this article, in addition to information regarding the detection of PID, screening and treatment of anorectal chlamydia, antimicrobial resistance, and testing and treatment in pregnancy.

There is a growing public health interest in controlling sexually transmitted infections (STIs) through vaccination due to increasing recognition of the global disease burden of STIs and the role of STIs in women's reproductive health, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and the health and well-being of neonates. Neisseria gonorrhoeae has historically challenged vaccine development through the expression of phase and antigenically variable surface molecules and its capacity to cause repeated infections without inducing protective immunity. An estimated 78 million new N. gonorrhoeae infections occur annually and the greatest disease burden is carried by low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Current control measures are clearly inadequate and threatened by the rapid emergence of antibiotic resistance. The gonococcus now holds the status of "super-bug" as there is currently no single reliable monotherapy for empirical treatment of gonorrhea. The problem of antibiotic resistance has elevated treatment costs and necessitated the establishment of large surveillance programs to track the spread of resistant strains. Here we review the need for a gonorrhea vaccine with respect to global disease burden and related socioeconomic and treatment costs, with an emphasis on the impact of gonorrhea on women and newborns. We also highlight the challenge of estimating the impact of a gonorrhea vaccine due to the need for more data on the burden of gonococcal pelvic inflammatory disease and related sequelae and of gonorrhea-associated adverse pregnancy outcomes and the problem of empirical diagnosis and treatment of STIs in LMIC. There is also a lack of clinical and basic science research in the area of gonococcal/chlamydia coinfection, which occurs in a high percentage of individuals with gonorrhea and should be considered when testing the efficacy of gonorrhea vaccines. Finally, we review recent research that suggests a gonorrhea vaccine is feasible and discuss challenges and research gaps in gonorrhea vaccine development., (Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the upper genital tract occurring predominantly in sexually active young women. Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae are common causes; however, other cervical, enteric, bacterial vaginosis-associated, and respiratory pathogens, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis, may be involved. PID can be acute, chronic, or subclinical and is often underdiagnosed. Untreated PID can lead to chronic pelvic pain, infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and intra-abdominal infections. The diagnosis is made primarily on clinical suspicion, and empiric treatment is recommended in sexually active young women or women at risk for sexually transmitted infections who have unexplained lower abdominal or pelvic pain and cervical motion, uterine, or adnexal tenderness on examination. Mild to moderate disease can be treated in an outpatient setting with a single intramuscular injection of a recommended cephalosporin followed by oral doxycycline for 14 days. Additionally, metronidazole is recommended for 14 days in the setting of bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, or recent uterine instrumentation. Hospitalization for parenteral antibiotics is recommended in patients who are pregnant or severely ill, in whom outpatient treatment has failed, those with tubo-ovarian abscess, or if surgical emergencies cannot be excluded. Treatment does not change in patients with intrauterine devices or those with HIV. Sex partner treatment is recommended; expedited partner treatment is recommended where legal. Prevention of PID includes screening for C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae in all women younger than 25 years and those who are at risk or pregnant, plus intensive behavioral counseling for all adolescents and adults at increased risk of sexually transmitted infections.

Numerous prophylactic antibiotic regimens (PBR) have been evaluated particularly in surgical abortion, hysterosalpingography or caesarean section, but few randomized comparative trials are available. Recommendations for PBR should take into account, expected and demonstrated benefits that reduce the risk of surgical site infection, but also the impact on the microbiota, the risk of bacterial resistance selection, and the overall cost to the community. In addition, antibiotic prophylaxis is not the only one factor to reduce the risk of surgical site infection, such as preventive measures and good hygiene practices., (Copyright © 2019 CNGOF;, SPILF. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: Performing an antibiotic prophylaxis (ATBP) with a surgical abortion (SA) is recommended in numerous countries, including France where the CNGOF has issued guidelines. There is little data regarding the actual application of these guidelines in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to evaluate the practice of ATBP with SA and to assess the degree of compliance with the national guidelines., Methods: This longitudinal, prospective, multicenter, non-interventional study was undertaken between December 2013 and July 2014 with the objective of assessing the modalities of prescription of ATBP under real-life conditions in the setting of SA, and to compare it with the national guidelines., Results: A total of 542 pregnant patients agreed to participate and were included by 36 French hospitals. Of these 36 active centers, 18 (50%) systematically prescribed an ATBP, while 10 (27.8%) prescribed an ATBP depending on the risks for the patient. Of these 542 patients, 263 (48.5%) received an ATBP prescription, 274 (50.6%) did not receive such a prescription. The prescribed ATBP was metronidazole (88/263 (33.5%)), azythromycin (76/263 (28.9%)), or doxycycline (44/263 (16.7%)). In total, 208/263 (79.1%) of the patients received an ATBP. Finally, three factors were identified as independent contributors that influence the prescription of an ATBP: the prescribed cervix preparation, the type of center, and the number of surgical abortions per year in the center over 500/year., Conclusion: Only half of the patients who undergo an SA receive a prescription for ATBP. Of the prescribed antibiotics, 80% correspond with the recommended ones., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To determine the procedures for follow-up and counselling of patients after pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)., Methods: A search in the Cochrane database, PubMed, and Google was performed using keywords related to follow-up and PID to identify reports published between 1990 and 2018. All studies published in French and English relevant to the areas of focus were included. A level of evidence (LE) based on the quality of the data available was applied for each area of focus and used for the guidelines., Results: The rate of recurrent PID is 15 to 21%. They are related to a recurrent sexually transmitted infection (STI) in 20 to 34% of cases. Recurrence PID increase the risk of infertility and chronic pelvic pain (LE2). Follow-up is recommended after PID (grade C). The rate of patients lost to follow-up is around 40%. Follow-up is improved by personalized text message reminders (grade B). Vaginal sampling for detection of N. gonorrhoeae, C. trachomatis, (and M. genitalium) by nucleic acid amplification techniques is recommended 3 to 6 months after treatment of PID associated with STI to rule out possible reinfections (grade C). The use of condoms after PID associated with STI is recommended to reduce the risk of recurrences (grade C). The systematic use of contraceptive pills after PID is not recommended to prevent subsequent infertility and chronic pelvic pain. Vaginal sampling for microbiological diagnosis is recommended before the insertion of an intrauterine device (grade B). The risk of ectopic pregnancy is high in these women and must be kept in mind., Conclusion: Patient counselling and microbiological testing after PID decrease the risk of STI and thus the recurrence of PID., (Copyright © 2019 CNGOF, SPILF. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.. All rights reserved.)

Aims: Concerns about acute pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) after hysterosalpingography (HSG) have been raised since 1980. However, the effectiveness of prophylactic antibiotics remains unclear. This study investigated the effect of antibiotic prophylaxis in women undergoing HSG., Methods: Women undergoing HSG between 2000 and 2012 were screened from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database for eligibility. The prophylactic cohort included patients using any antibiotics of 1st-generation cephalosporins, doxycycline, clindamycin, and metronidazole, within 7 days before HSG (n = 3257). Patients not using any antibiotics were registered as the non-prophylactic cohort (n = 4662). An unconditional logistic regression model was applied to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of acute PID after HSG associated with prophylactic antibiotics., Results: The cumulative incidences of acute PID after HSG were 0.46% and 1.42% in the prophylactic and non-prophylactic cohorts, respectively. Prophylactic patients had a significantly reduced estimated relative risk of acute PID compared with non-prophylactic patients (adjusted OR = 0.33, 95% CI = 0.19-0.58; p = .001). Doxycycline users had the lowest adjusted OR of 0.20 (95% CI = 0.04-0.81; p = .02), followed by users of 1st-generation cephalosporins (adjusted OR = 0.35, 95% CI = 0.18-0.68; p = .002). Multivariate sub-group analysis verified this protective effect for almost all sub-groups of prophylactic patients., Conclusions: Antibiotic prophylaxis is associated with a decreased estimated relative risk of acute PID in HSG patients. Doxycycline and 1st-generation cephalosporins may be effective prophylactic regimens for HSG.

The objective was to determine whether or not the limited use of urethral microscopy to diagnose asymptomatic and symptomatic non-chlamydial, non-gonococcal urethritis (NCNGU) in men is a cost-effective strategy to avert pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), ectopic pregnancy or infertility in female partners. Outputs from a transmission dynamic model of NCNGU in a population of 16-30 year olds in England simulating the number of consultations, PID cases and patients treated over time amongst others, were used along with secondary data to undertake a cost-effectiveness analysis carried out from a health care provider perspective. The main outcome measure was cost per case of PID averted. A secondary outcome measure was cost per major outcome averted, where a major outcome is a case of symptomatic PID, ectopic pregnancy, or infertility. Offering a limited number of asymptomatic men urethral microscopy was more effective than the current practice of no microscopy in terms of reducing the number of cases of PID with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of £15,700, meaning that an investment of £15,800 is required to avert one case of PID. For major outcomes averted, offering some asymptomatic men urethral microscopy was again found to be more effective than no microscopy, but here an investment of £49,900 is required to avert one major outcome. Testing asymptomatic men for NCNGU in a small number of genitourinary medicine settings in England is not cost-effective, and thus by maintaining the current practice of not offering this patient group microscopy, this continues to make savings for the health care provider.

Background: Genital infection with Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection, especially among young women. Mostly asymptomatic, it can lead, if untreated, to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), tubal factor infertility and ectopic pregnancy. Recent data suggest that Ct infections are not controlled in France and in Europe. The effectiveness of a systematic strategy for Ct screening in under-25 women remains controversial. The main objective of the i-Predict trial (Prevention of Diseases Induced by Chlamydia trachomatis) is to determine whether early screening and treatment of 18- to-24-year-old women for genital Ct infection reduces the incidence of PID over 24 months., Methods/design: This is a randomised prevention trial including 4000 eighteen- to twenty-four-year-old sexually active female students enrolled at five universities. The participants will provide a self-collected vaginal swab sample and fill in an electronic questionnaire at baseline and at 6, 12 and 18 months after recruitment. Vaginal swabs in the intervention arm will be analysed immediately for Ct positivity, and participants will be referred for treatment if they have a positive test result. Vaginal swabs from the control arm will be analysed at the end of the study. All visits to general practitioners, gynaecologists or gynaecology emergency departments for pelvic pain or other gynaecological symptoms will be recorded to evaluate the incidence of PID, and all participants will attend a final visit in a hospital gynaecology department. The primary endpoint measure will be the incidence of PID over 24 months. The outcome status (confirmed, probable or no PID) will be assessed by two independent experts blinded to group assignment and Ct status., Discussion: This trial is expected to largely contribute to the development of recommendations for Ct screening in young women in France to prevent PID and related complications. It is part of a comprehensive approach to gathering data to facilitate decision-making regarding optimal strategies for Ct infection control. The control group of this randomised trial, following current recommendations, will allow better documentation of the natural history of Ct infection, a prerequisite to evaluating the impact of Ct screening. Characterisation of host immunogenetics will also allow identification of women at risk for complications., Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02904811 . Registered on September 14, 2016. World Health Organisation International Clinical Trials Registry, NCT02904811. AOM, 15-0063 and P150950. Registered on September 26, 2016. A completed Standard Protocol Items : Recommendations for International Trials (SPIRIT) Checklist is available in additional file 1.

Study Objective: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines recommend follow-up within 72 hours of diagnosis of pelvic inflammatory disease because patients with inadequate treatment are at increased risk of acute and chronic complications. Follow-up rates in adolescents after diagnosis range between 10% and 16%. The primary objective is to assess the effect of text message reminders to adolescent patients receiving a diagnosis of pelvic inflammatory disease on obtaining follow-up care within 72 hours of emergency department (ED) discharge., Methods: This was a single-blinded randomized controlled trial of adolescents receiving a diagnosis of pelvic inflammatory disease in the ED. Patients received standard discharge instructions or standard discharge instructions plus text message reminders. Patients in the text message group received daily, tailored text messages for 4 days, with a reminder to schedule and attend primary care provider follow-up. The primary outcome was follow-up within 72 hours of ED discharge., Results: Ninety-five patients (48 standard; 47 text message) were randomized. Three patients were excluded, leaving 92 patients (46 standard; 46 text message) for analysis. Baseline characteristics were similar between treatment groups. Follow-up was 15.2% in the standard group and 43.5% in the text message group. Patients receiving text message reminders were more likely to follow up compared with the standard group (relative risk 2.9; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.4 to 5.7). The absolute efficacy difference was 28.3% (95% CI 9.5% to 46.9%), yielding number needed to treat of 4 (95% CI 2.2 to 9.5)., Conclusion: Personalized text message reminders were efficacious in improving follow-up for adolescents after ED diagnosis of pelvic inflammatory disease., (Copyright © 2015 American College of Emergency Physicians. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To identify risk factors for pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in female students., Methods: We performed a prospective study set in 11 universities and 9 further education colleges in London. In 2004-2006, 2529 sexually experienced, multiethnic, female students, mean age 20.8 years, provided self-taken vaginal samples and completed questionnaires at recruitment to the Prevention of Pelvic Infection chlamydia screening trial. After 12 months, they were followed up by questionnaire backed by medical record search and assessed for PID by blinded genitourinary medicine physicians., Results: Of 2004 (79%) participants who reported numbers of sexual partners during follow-up, 32 (1.6%, 95% CI 1.1% to 2.2%) were diagnosed with PID. The strongest predictor of PID was baseline Chlamydia trachomatis (relative risk (RR) 5.7, 95% CI 2.6 to 15.6). After adjustment for baseline C. trachomatis, significant predictors of PID were ≥2 sexual partners or a new sexual partner during follow-up (RR 4.0, 95% CI 1.8 to 8.5; RR 2.8, 95% CI 1.3 to 6.3), age <20 years (RR 3.3, 95% CI 1.5 to 7.0), recruitment from a further education college rather than a university (RR 2.6, 95% CI 1.3 to 5.3) and history at baseline of vaginal discharge (RR 2.7, 95% CI 1.2 to 5.8) or pelvic pain (RR 4.1, 95% CI 2.0 to 8.3) in the previous six months. Bacterial vaginosis and Mycoplasma genitalium infection were no longer significantly associated with PID after adjustment for baseline C. trachomatis., Conclusions: Multiple or new partners in the last 12 months, age <20 years and attending a further education college rather than a university were risk factors for PID after adjustment for baseline C. trachomatis infection. Sexual health education and screening programmes could be targeted at these high-risk groups., Trial Registration Number: (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00115388)., (Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/)

After colorectal and anorectal interventions for chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, specific complications can occur.In Crohn's disease these complications mainly occur after proctocolectomy. Pelvic sepsis can be prevented by omentoplasty with fixation inside the pelvis. A persisting sepsis of the sacral cavity can be treated primarily by dissection of the anal sphincter which ensures better drainage. In cases of chronic sacral sepsis, transposition of the gracilis muscle is a further effective option. Early recurrence of a transsphincteric anal fistula should be treated by reinsertion of a silicon seton drainage.Complications after restorative proctocolectomy are frequent and manifold (35%). The main acute complications are anastomotic leakage and pelvic sepsis. Therapy consists of transperineal drainage of the abscess with simultaneous transanal drainage. Late complications due to technical and septic reasons are still a relevant problem even 36 years after introduction of this operative technique. A consistent approach with detailed diagnostic and surgical therapy results in a 75% rescue rate of ileoanal pouches.

Purpose of Review: The present review considers recent pelvic inflammatory disease literature. It remains a difficult condition to accurately diagnose and manage in the adolescent woman. Failure of accurate diagnosis and prompt management leads to complications, including chronic pelvic pain and infertility., Recent Findings: Annual chlamydia screening of sexually active adolescents is an important method for early identification of this common cause of this disorder. Youth with positive screens can be lost for treatment if effective follow-up plans are not in place in clinical practice. The intrauterine device is not a risk factor for this condition in adolescents and is a recommended contraceptive device in sexually active adolescent women. A variety of chlamydial antigens are being used to help differentiate lower genital infection from upper genital disorder. Clinicians are not following established protocols for its diagnosis and management., Summary: Sequelae can be reduced in adolescent women if clinicians continue with regular chlamydia screening in sexually active adolescent women, have a low index of suspicion for pelvic inflammatory disease, carefully follow accepted treatment protocols, and teach youth comprehensive sexuality education including regular condom use. Funded research is needed to develop improved diagnosis and management tools as well as a chlamydia vaccine.

Background: Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted bacterial infection in Scotland, and is associated with potentially serious reproductive outcomes, including pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and tubal factor infertility (TFI) in women. Chlamydia testing in Scotland is currently targeted towards symptomatic individuals, individuals at high risk of existing undetected infection, and young people. The cost-effectiveness of testing and treatment to prevent PID and TFI in Scotland is uncertain., Methods: A compartmental deterministic dynamic model of chlamydia infection in 15-24 year olds in Scotland was developed. The model was used to estimate the impact of a change in testing strategy from baseline (16.8% overall testing coverage; 0.4 partners notified and tested/treated per treated positive index) on PID and TFI cases. Cost-effectiveness calculations informed by best-available estimates of the quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) lost due to PID and TFI were also performed., Results: Increasing overall testing coverage by 50% from baseline to 25.2% is estimated to result in 21% fewer cases in young women each year (PID: 703 fewer; TFI: 88 fewer). A 50% decrease to 8.4% would result in 20% more PID (669 additional) and TFI (84 additional) cases occurring annually. The cost per QALY gained of current testing activities compared to no testing is £40,034, which is above the £20,000-£30,000 cost-effectiveness threshold. However, calculations are hampered by lack of reliable data. Any increase in partner notification from baseline would be cost-effective (incremental cost per QALY gained for a partner notification efficacy of 1 compared to baseline: £5,119), and would increase the cost-effectiveness of current testing strategy compared to no testing, with threshold cost-effectiveness reached at a partner notification efficacy of 1.5. However, there is uncertainty in the extent to which partner notification is currently done, and hence the amount by which it could potentially be increased., Conclusions: Current chlamydia testing strategy in Scotland is not cost-effective under the conservative model assumptions applied. However, with better data enabling some of these assumptions to be relaxed, current coverage could be cost-effective. Meanwhile, increasing partner notification efficacy on its own would be a cost-effective way of preventing PID and TFI from current strategy.

Sexually transmitted infections of the urogenital tract are most commonly caused by the intracellular bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis worldwide, resulting the clinical picture of acute urethritis in men as well as urethritis and endocervicitis in women. As women often present with few symptoms only or a completely symptom-free disease course, one of the most important long-term complications is chronic pelvic inflammatory disease often followed by the development of infertility caused by chronic scar formation. Well-organized screening programs are considered to have a leading role in the prevention of disease spreading and long lasting unwanted complications. Antibiotic treatment options are often influenced by special circumstances, such as pregnancy and several complicated clinical forms. The aims of the authors are to give a concise review on the current knowledge regarding Chlamydia trachomatis infections and summarize typical clinical signs, modern diagnostic techniques as well as accepted treatment protocols and basic aspects of screening.

This article reviews evidence to guide safe and cost-effective testing for asymptomatic Neisseria gonorrhea and Chlamydia trachomatis infection before inserting intrauterine devices (IUDs). All women should be screened with a history and pelvic examination before IUD insertion, but only high-risk women need a laboratory test; this includes women aged 25 years or younger with no test within the last year, and women with additional behavioral risk factors. If testing is indicated, it should be done on the same day as insertion not a separate visit. Women with positive test results should be treated as soon as results are available.

Background: Intrauterine devices provide an extremely effective, long-term form of contraception that has the benefit of being reversible. Historically, the use of certain intrauterine devices was associated with increased risk of pelvic inflammatory disease. More recent evidence suggests that newer devices do not carry the same threat; however, certain risk factors can increase the possibility of infection., Objectives: To review the risk of infection with the insertion of intrauterine devices and recommend strategies to prevent infection., Outcomes: The outcomes considered were the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease, the impact of screening for bacterial vaginosis and sexually transmitted infections including chlamydia and gonorrhea; and the role of prophylactic antibiotics., Evidence: Published literature was retrieved through searches of PubMed, Embase, and The Cochrane Library on July 21, 2011, using appropriate controlled vocabulary (e.g., intrauterine devices, pelvic inflammatory disease) and key words (e.g., adnexitis, endometritis, IUD). An etiological filter was applied in PubMed. The search was limited to the years 2000 forward. There were no language restrictions. Grey (unpublished) literature was identified through searching the web sites of national and international medical specialty societies., Values: The quality of evidence in this document was rated using the criteria described in the Report of the Canadian Task Force on Preventative Health Care (Table). Recommendations 1. All women requesting an intrauterine device should be counselled about the small increased risk of pelvic inflammatory disease in the first 20 days after insertion. (II-2A) 2. All women requesting an intrauterine device should be screened by both history and physical examination for their risk of sexually transmitted infection. Women at increased risk should be tested prior to or at the time of insertion; however, it is not necessary to delay insertion until results are returned. (II-2B) 3. Not enough current evidence is available to support routine screening for bacterial vaginosis at the time of insertion of an intrauterine device in asymptomatic women. (II-2C) 4. Routine use of prophylactic antibiotics is not recommended prior to intrauterine device insertion, although it may be used in certain high-risk situations. (I-C) 5. Standard practice includes cleansing the cervix and sterilizing any instruments that will be used prior to and during insertion of an intrauterine device. (III-C) 6. In treating mild to moderate pelvic inflammatory disease, it is not necessary to remove the intrauterine device during treatment unless the patient requests removal or there is no clinical improvement after 72 hours of appropriate antibiotic treatment. In cases of severe pelvic inflammatory disease, consideration can be given to removing the intrauterine device after an appropriate antibiotic regimen has been started. (I-B) 7. An intrauterine device is a safe, effective option for contraception in an HIV-positive woman. (I-B) 8. An intrauterine device can be considered a first-line contraceptive agent in adolescents. (I-A).

Purpose of Investigation: The aim of this study was to investigate if vaginal preparation procedure affects the occurrence of oocyte pickup-associated pelvic inflammation (OPU-PI) and the reproductive outcome in an in vitro fertilization (IVF) program., Materials and Methods: The occurrence of OPU-PI and the reproductive outcome were compared between 956 infertile patients undergoing vaginal preparation with saline douching alone versus 1,216 infertile patients undergoing a combination ofpovidone iodine disinfection and subsequent saline douching in an IVF program., Results: OPU-PI occurred in four patients (0.042%) in the saline douching alone group, whereas there were no cases in the combination group (p = 0.016). There were no significant differences in the rate of fertilization, morphologically good embryo acquisition, clinical and ongoing pregnancy between the two groups (p > 0.23)., Conclusions: This large cohort study demonstrated that a combination of vaginal povidone iodine disinfection and subsequent saline douching is more effective procedure than saline douching alone to prevent OPU-PI, without spoiling the oocyte quality.

Background: Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) results from the ascending spread of microorganisms, including Chlamydia trachomatis, to the upper genital tract. Screening could improve outcomes by identifying and treating chlamydial infections before they progress to PID (direct effect) or by reducing chlamydia transmission (indirect effect)., Methods: We developed a compartmental model that represents a hypothetical heterosexual population and explicitly incorporates progression from chlamydia to clinical PID. Chlamydia screening was introduced, with coverage increasing each year for 10 years. We estimated the separate contributions of the direct and indirect effects of screening on PID cases prevented per 100,000 women. We explored the influence of varying the time point at which clinical PID could occur and of increasing the risk of PID after repeated chlamydial infections., Results: The probability of PID at baseline was 3.1% by age 25 years. After 5 years, the intervention scenario had prevented 187 PID cases per 100,000 women and after 10 years 956 PID cases per 100,000 women. At the start of screening, most PID cases were prevented by the direct effect. The indirect effect produced a small net increase in PID cases, which was outweighed by the effect of reduced chlamydia transmission after 2.2 years. The later that progression to PID occurs, the greater the contribution of the direct effect. Increasing the risk of PID with repeated chlamydial infection increases the number of PID cases prevented by screening., Conclusions: This study shows the separate roles of direct and indirect PID prevention and potential harms, which cannot be demonstrated in observational studies.

In November 2011, the National Institutes of Health convened a workshop of basic researchers, epidemiologists, and clinical experts in pelvic inflammatory disease to identify research gaps hindering advances in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. This article summarizes the presentations, discussions, and conclusions of this group and highlights significant controversies that reveal aspects of pelvic inflammatory disease research that would most greatly benefit from the application of newer molecular, immunologic, and radiologic techniques. Multiple limitations to performing new clinical trials exist; however, emerging data from ongoing clinical trials will add to the current body of knowledge regarding prevention and treatment strategies. In addition, use of established health care databases could serve as a valuable tool for performance of unbiased epidemiologic outcome studies.

Purpose of Review: Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a common and serious reproductive health disorder and disease rates remain unacceptably high among adolescent girls and young adult women in the United States. Despite data demonstrating that women experience major adverse health outcomes after PID, national recommendations for management of adolescents have become increasingly less cautious in an era of cost-containment. In this review, we take an alternative look at published data on adolescents with PID to frame the next steps for optimizing management for this vulnerable population., Recent Findings: Several findings emerge from review of the literature. First, there is limited evidence to guide the best practice strategies for adolescents with PID due to low enrolment of early and middle adolescents in national trials. Second, adolescents and adult women in the United States receive suboptimal treatment regimens per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) standards. Third, available evidence suggests that adolescents are at an increased risk for poor adherence to CDC recommendations for self-care, reacquisition of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and PID, and subsequent adverse reproductive health outcomes., Summary: Efforts to develop and integrate adolescent-focused, evidence-based strategies for PID management and prevention of subsequent STIs and recurrent PID are warranted.

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a common disorder affecting sexually active adolescents. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and European CDC report Chlamydia trachomatis as the most common sexually transmitted infection and one of the main etiological agents causing PID. C. trachomatis' and PID's high prevalence may be attributed to multiple factors including high-risk sexual behaviors, sensitive laboratory diagnostics (polymerase chain reaction), and the introduction of chlamydia screening programs. The pathogenesis of C. trachomatis infection is complex with recent data highlighting the role of toll-like receptor 2 and four in the mediation of the inflammatory cascade. The authors review the etiology of the disease, explore its pathogenesis, and discuss a variety of strategies that may be implemented to reduce the prevalence of C. trachomatis including: (a) behavioral risk reduction, (b) effective screening of asymptomatic females, (c) targeted male screening, (d) implementation of a sensitive, rapid, self-administered point-of-care testing, and (e) development of an effective vaccine.

We critically reviewed randomized controlled trials evaluating chlamydia screening to prevent pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and explored factors affecting interpretation and translation of trial data into public health prevention. Taken together, data from these trials offer evidence that chlamydia screening and treatment is an important and useful intervention to reduce the risk of PID among young women. However, the magnitude of benefit to be expected from screening may have been overestimated based on the earliest trials. It is likely that chlamydia screening programs have contributed to declines in PID incidence through shortening prevalent infections, although the magnitude of their contribution remains unclear. Program factors such as screening coverage as well as natural history factors such as risk of PID after repeat chlamydia infection can be important in determining the impact of chlamydia screening on PID incidence in a population. Uptake of chlamydia screening is currently suboptimal, and expansion of screening among young, sexually active women remains a priority. To reduce transmission and repeat infections, implementation of efficient strategies to treat partners of infected women is also essential. Results of ongoing randomized evaluations of the effect of screening on community-wide chlamydia prevalence and PID will also be valuable.

Background: Many countries have witnessed a disturbing increase in cases of Chlamydia trachomatis infection despite enhanced control programs. Since the goal of Chlamydia control is to prevent reproductive complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease and ectopic pregnancy, an understanding of recent trends in these conditions is needed to fully evaluate the effect of control efforts., Methods: We analyzed 2 provincial, comprehensive health services administrative databases (encompassing hospitalizations and all physician-delivered services) for pelvic inflammatory disease and ectopic pregnancy trends from 1992 through 2009 in women of reproductive age in British Columbia, Canada. Trends were compared to provincial Chlamydia surveillance data by time-series analysis, using the cross-correlation function method and Granger causality testing., Results: Chlamydia cases substantially increased from 1992 through 2009. Inpatient, outpatient, and total diagnoses of pelvic inflammatory disease and ectopic pregnancy declined from 1992 through 2003. After 2003, pelvic inflammatory disease rates continued to fall, while ectopic pregnancy rates significantly increased. The male Chlamydia urethritis rate increased from 39.4 to 173.6 cases/100,000 from 1996 to 2009., Conclusions: In the context of increasing Chlamydia infection rates, the reproductive complications of Chlamydia infection in women are declining overall. A recent increase in rates of ectopic pregnancies is cause for concern.

Objective: This study was undertaken in order to determine if antibiotic prophylaxis is mandatory, after the insertion of levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system in order to decrease the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease., Materials and Methods: We prospectively evaluated 44 patients, admitted in the Bucharest Emergency Hospital between the 1ⁱ of February 2012 and the 1ⁱ of October 2012, in whom the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system was inserted. The patients enrolled were divided into two groups. In group A, a number of 22 patients, received, after the insertion of levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system, 875mg Amoxicillin Trihydrate + 125 mg Potassium Clavulanate, a dose every 12 hours for 5 days. Group B was represented by the other 22 patients who did not receive antibiotic prophylaxis. All patients were reevaluated at 4 and 12 weeks after the insertion of levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system., Results: During the first 4 weeks after the insertion of levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system only two patients, one from group A and one from group B were diagnosed with pelvic inflammatory disease. At a second follow up visit - 12 weeks after the insertion of levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system, no other patient was diagnosed with pelvic inflammatory disease., Conclusion: Antibiotic prophylaxis is not mandatory, after the insertion of levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system in order to decrease the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease.

Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) is the most common curable sexually transmitted infection worldwide. Annually, 7.4 million new infections are estimated in the United States, which is greater than combined new cases of Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. Serious adverse reproductive health outcomes including pregnancy complications, pelvic inflammatory disease, and an increased risk of HIV acquisition have been linked to TV infection. There are several sensitive and specific diagnostic tests available, including a newly approved nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) that utilizes the same instrumentation platform and clinical sample as Chlamydia and gonorrhea tests. In this article, we review TV pathogenicity, adverse reproductive health outcomes, detection, and treatment followed by clinical scenarios for which TV diagnosis may prove useful in obstetrics and gynecology practice.

Prophylactic antibiotics (PA) are effective to prevent post hysterosalpingography pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and should be performed in these patients. No advantages are reported concerning PA in patients undergoing intra uterine device placement, hysteroscopy (diagnosis or operative hysteroscopy), medical abortion or uterine revision. Systematic PA with tetracyclins or imadazols is effective to prevent post abortion PID in patients undergoing surgical abortion and should be performed in these patients., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Background: Annual notifications of chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis) diagnoses have increased steadily in Australia in the last decade. To guide public health programs, we developed 10 national chlamydia prevention indicators and report on each indicator for New South Wales (NSW)., Methods: Using systematic methods, we reviewed the literature to report on the 10 health and behaviour indicators for 15- to 29-year-old heterosexuals in NSW from 2000. We included data with two or more time points., Results: Chlamydia notification rates (Indicator 1) in 15- to 29-year-olds have increased by 299%, from 237 per 100000 population in 2001 to 946 per 100000 population in 2010; and the percent of 15- to 34-year-olds with an annual Medicare-rebated chlamydia test (Indicator 2) increased by 326%, from 1.9% in 2001 to 8.1% in 2010. Since 2004, sentinel surveillance showed a 28% increase in chlamydia prevalence (Indicator 3) in 15- to 29-year-old females tested at their first sexual health service visit (from 8.5% in 2004 to 10.9% in 2010) but no significant increase in males. No NSW-specific chlamydia incidence (Indicator 4) was available. Pelvic inflammatory disease hospitalisation separations rate decreased from 0.58 per 1000 in 2001 to 0.44 per 1000 in 2010 in 15- to 29-year-old females (Indicator 5).Secondary school surveys in 2002 and 2008 showed chlamydia knowledge increased in males. The sexual risk-taking behaviour of young people remained unchanged (Indicators 6-10)., Conclusions: Although notifications have risen steeply, the modest increase in chlamydia prevalence maybe a more realistic reflection of transmission rates. Strategies are needed to increase testing and to modify sexual risk behaviour. Crucial gaps in epidemiological data were identified.

Background: Chlamydia screening is recommended to prevent pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). A systematic review was conducted to determine how the natural history of Chlamydia trachomatis or Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection and progression to PID have been described in mathematical modeling studies., Methods: Four databases, from their earliest dates to October 2009, and reference lists of included studies were searched. Models were defined as dynamic if progression from infection to PID was time dependent and static otherwise. Descriptions of the natural history of infection and parameter values used for progression to PID were extracted from all studies. Details of how disease progression was implemented were extracted from reports of dynamic models., Results: Forty-five publications from 40 unique models were included. Nine models were classed as dynamic, including 4 Markov, 3 compartmental, and 2 individual-based models. There were 28 static decision analysis models. For 3 publications, the model type could not be determined. Among the dynamic models, there were explicit statements that C. trachomatis could progress to PID uniformly throughout the infection, in the first 6 months of infection, in the second half of infection, or that there is a most likely interval from the initial infection for the development of PID, which varies from 1 to 12 months. In static models, the average fraction of cases of chlamydia developing PID was 22%., Conclusion: The reporting of key items in mathematical modeling studies about PID could be improved. The potential timings of progression to PID identified in this review can be investigated further to advance our understanding about how chlamydia screening interventions work to prevent PID.

Purpose: Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) are typically asymptomatic, but, if untreated, can lead to sequelae including pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and ectopic pregnancy. The objective was to describe trends of these sequelae in Philadelphia after implementing citywide screening in a high-morbidity population (>6% positivity)., Methods: In this ecologic study, which used data from 1996 to 2007, multivariable linear regression analysis was used to assess the association between the number of annual CT/GC screening tests by gender and the number of women aged 14-30 years hospitalized for PID or ectopic pregnancy. A standardized hospitalization database provided the number of admissions with a discharge diagnosis of PID or ectopic pregnancy. Positive CT/GC laboratory results reported by hospitals and emergency departments (EDs) were used as a proxy for outpatient PID., Results: Between 1996 and 2007, CT/GC screening increased by 188%, whereas declines were noted in hospitalized PID cases (36%, -173 cases), ectopic pregnancy (38%, -119 cases), and ED-diagnosed CT/GC cases (39%, -727 cases). Screening 10,000 females for CT/GC corresponded with 26.1 fewer hospitalized PID cases (95% confidence interval 11.2-41.1), whereas screening 10,000 males corresponded to 10.4 (95% CI: 2.6-18.2) fewer cases. Although male screening was not significantly associated with ectopic pregnancy, screening 10,000 females was associated with 28.6 fewer ectopic pregnancies (95% CI: 7.4-49.8)., Conclusions: This ecologic analysis found a correlation between large-scale CT/GC screening in a high-morbidity population and reductions in hospitalized PID, ectopic pregnancies, and ED-diagnosed CT/GC., (Copyright © 2012 Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine. All rights reserved.)

Pelvic inflammatory disease is a polymicrobial infection of the upper genital tract. It primarily affects young, sexually active women. The diagnosis is made clinically; no single test or study is sensitive or specific enough for a definitive diagnosis. Pelvic inflammatory disease should be suspected in at-risk patients who present with pelvic or lower abdominal pain with no identified etiology, and who have cervical motion, uterine, or adnexal tenderness. Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae are the most commonly implicated microorganisms; however, other microorganisms may be involved. The spectrum of disease ranges from asymptomatic to life-threatening tubo-ovarian abscess. Patients should be treated empirically, even if they present with few symptoms. Most women can be treated successfully as outpatients with a single dose of a parenteral cephalosporin plus oral doxycycline, with or without oral metronidazole. Delay in treatment may lead to major sequelae, including chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility. Hospitalization and parenteral treatment are recommended if the patient is pregnant, has human immunodeficiency virus infection, does not respond to oral medication, or is severely ill. Strategies for preventing pelvic inflammatory disease include routine screening for chlamydia and patient education.

Objective: The objective of this study was to estimate the cost and cost-effectiveness of opportunistic screening for Chlamydia trachomatis in Ireland., Methods: Prospective cost analysis of an opportunistic screening programme delivered jointly in three types of healthcare facility in Ireland. Incremental cost-effectiveness analysis was performed using an existing dynamic modelling framework to compare screening to a control of no organised screening. A healthcare provider perspective was adopted with respect to costs and included the costs of screening and the costs of complications arising from untreated infection. Two outcome measures were examined: major outcomes averted, comprising cases of pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and tubal factor infertility in women, neonatal conjunctivitis and pneumonia, and epididymitis in men; and quality-adjusted life-years (QALY) gained. Uncertainty was explored using sensitivity analyses and cost-effectiveness acceptability curves., Results: The average cost per component of screening was estimated at €26 per offer, €66 per negative case, €152 per positive case and €74 per partner notified and treated. The modelled screening scenario was projected to be more effective and more costly than the control strategy. The incremental cost per major outcomes averted was €6093, and the incremental cost per QALY gained was €94,717. For cost-effectiveness threshold values of €45,000 per QALY gained and lower, the probability of the screening being cost effective was estimated at <1%., Conclusions: An opportunistic chlamydia screening programme, as modelled in this study, would be expensive to implement nationally and is unlikely to be judged cost effective by policy makers in Ireland.

Objectives: To describe healthcare settings attended by women with clinical pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), to calculate the cost of a PID episode and to estimate how many cases could be prevented in London annually at current chlamydia screening levels., Methods: An ethnically diverse sample of 2259 16-24 year old, sexually active, female London students were recruited to a chlamydia screening trial in 2004-2006 of whom 94% (2115) were followed up after 12 months for incidence of PID. A cost analysis examined healthcare settings attended by women with PID, the cost of an episode of PID and the number of cases of PID in London due to untreated chlamydia at baseline that could be prevented per year at 2009 annual screening levels., Results: Of 35 PID cases, 17 (47%) first presented in general practice, 15 (42%) at a genitourinary medicine clinic, two elsewhere and one was admitted to hospital. The average number of consultations for a PID episode was 2.0 (range 1-4) and the average cost was £163 (range £29-960). Assuming 414,345 sexually active women aged 16-24 in London, 6% chlamydia prevalence at baseline and a 7.3% difference in PID rates between screened and unscreened chlamydia positives, 391 (95% CI--44 to 882) cases of chlamydia-associated PID costing £63,733 could be prevented each year in London at 21.5% 2009 annual screening levels., Conclusions: Most women with PID were managed in the community. The number and cost of PID cases prevented by a single annual chlamydia screen is low suggesting that cost effectiveness may depend mainly on the prevention of long-term sequelae.

Background: Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is commonly diagnosed in US emergency departments (EDs). We aimed to estimate national rates of provider adherence to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) treatment guidelines for PID among patient visits, with a diagnosis of acute PID in US ED settings., Methods: A multiyear cross-sectional analysis was performed on ED visits from females >12 years old, using the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey database from 1999 to 2006. The ED diagnoses of acute PID were identified from the database. Specific antibiotics ordered or provided during ED visits diagnosed with PID were identified and compared to contemporary CDC treatment guidelines to determine provider adherence. Analyses were performed using procedures for multiple-stage survey data., Results: Overall, 1,605,000 discharged ED patient visits with a diagnosis of acute PID were identified. ED provider adherence to CDC treatment guidelines was 30.5% (95% confidence intervals [CI], 24.4%-36.7%). Doxycycline was the most commonly missing medication from the recommended regimens while azithromycin was the most prescribed antibiotic that was not recommended until 2006 CDC guidelines. Additionally, among the visits without being given any CDC-recommended antibiotics, 38.4% were prescribed neither antibiotics nor pain relievers. In multivariate analysis, those without specialty consultation during ED visits and those before the announcement of 2002 guidelines were 4.95 (95% CI, 1.71-14.29) and 1.93 (95% CI, 1.14-3.27) times less likely to receive CDC-recommended antibiotic regimens versus their counterparts., Conclusions: Poor provider adherence to the CDC-recommended treatment guidelines for PID has been widespread in US EDs, especially for women who did not receive specialty consultation.

Background: Randomised controlled trials often rely on questionnaires for follow-up., Objective: To compare response rates to an online and postal 12-month follow-up questionnaire on sexual health in female students who took part in a chlamydia screening trial., Methods: 1329 sexually active female students aged 16-27 were recruited from 12 universities and further education (FE) colleges. The 299 participants recruited between September 2004 and February 2005 were sent a postal questionnaire after 12 months. The 1030 participants recruited between March and December 2005 were contacted by email after 12 months and given a weblink to an online questionnaire., Results: The response rates to the 12-month questionnaire in the online and postal groups were 51% and 29% 4 weeks after follow-up commenced (RR 1.78 (1.47 to 2.14)) and 72% and 59% after 3 months. After adjusting for ethnicity, smoking, type of educational institution (university or FE college) and subject studied (health-related or not), the RR at 4 weeks was 1.88 (1.42 to 2.50). However, a prior telephone call to confirm contact details increased the response rate at 3 months in the postal group. In the online group, university students, those of white ethnicity and non-smokers had higher response rates at 4 weeks., Conclusions: In this young student population, an online questionnaire was quicker, cheaper and more efficient than a postal questionnaire. However, some FE college students did not have an email address. Telephone prompts and postal questionnaires were essential in obtaining a good response rate.