ASSOCIATION OF THE INTRAUTERINE DEVICE AND PELVIC INFLAMMATORY DISEASE: A RETROSPECTIVE PILOT STUDY

Abstract

Targum, S. D. and N. H. Wright (Population Council, Box 2-75, Bangkok, Thailand). Association of the intrauterine device and pelvic inflammatory disease: a retrospective pilot study. Am J Epidemiol 100:262–271, 1974.—Using a retrospective-case control design, it was found that 48% of 50 women with first episode, acute pelvic inflammatory disease were currently wearing an intrauterine device (IUD) compared to 9% of 100 controls matched for age, marital status and interval since last pregnancy termination. The findings suggest a ninefold increased risk of acute pelvic infection among IUD wearers as opposed to nonwearers. It should be noted, however, that most attacks of pelvic infection are mild and can be successfully treated with the device in place. It also seems likely that the risk of pelvic infection among nonwearers is very low. The estimated risk of infection-associated death among IUD wearers is less than 1 per 100,000 woman-years use, a figure that compares favorably with the risk of fatal pulmonary or cerebral thromboembolism among oral contraceptive users.