Intrauterine device and pelvic inflammatory disease

Using a retrospective case control design on 101 women with a first episode of acute pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), it was found that 15% were wearing an intrauterine device, as compared to 7% out of a control group of 101 women matched for age, marital status, and interval since their last pregnancy termination. No statistically significant correlation between IUD usage and PID was demonstrated. A significant correlation (P less than 0.01) between previous induced abortion and subsequent PID was found. In the PID group, a significantly higher proportion of previous abdominal and pelvic operations (P less than 0.005) was found as compared to the control group, but the numbers were small. In the absence of a higher frequency of IUD wearers among PID patients as compared with matched controls, we do not believe that there is an increased risk of pelvic inflammatory disease.