Contraception in general practice analyzed by a computerized medical record

By a computerized medical record 174 patients who consulted a general practitioner regularly for contraceptive advice through 51 months were selected. There were 67 patients aged 25.9 +/- 4.0 (mean +/- SD), using Lynestrenol 0.75 mg and etinyloestradiol 375 micrograms or Levonorgestrel 0.150 mg and etinyloestradiol 30 micrograms. Eleven patients aged 27.2 +/- 5.3 using Noretisteron 0.3 mg and 96 patients aged 33.3 +/- 6.0 using intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD). As judged by the Pearl index, the Pill-users unwantedly and unexpectedly became pregnant more often than IUCD-users. Acute salpingitis was encountered in six Pill-users, and in one with IUCD. There was more often purulent vaginal discharge and metrorrhagia in the Pill-group, but the hemoglobin values were similar. The importance of these findings remain to be established, but they suggest that the IUCD may be more reliable than the Pill, perhaps due to a better compliance. Eight IUCD patients did not return for changing the device in due time after 36 months of use. Four out of 13 patients with cervical dysplasia did not return for prescribed controls of the cervical smear. The computerized medical record seems to be a powerful tool for the monitoring of high risk patients and clinical research in general practice.