Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Flashcards
What is pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) a result of?
Infection ascending from the endocervix
What does PID cause?
- Endometritis
- Salpingitis
- Parametritis
- Oophoritis
- Tubo-ovarian abscess
- Pelvic peritonitis
What is endometritis?
Inflammation of the lining of the uterus (endometrium)
What are the common complications of PID?
Endometritis and salpingitis
What can salpingitis cause?
Pain and loss of function
What is salpingitis?
Inflammation of the fallopian tubes
What is a serious complication of PID?
Tubo-ovarian abscess
What causes a tubo-ovarian abscess?
Inflammatory exudate fills the lumen. If there are adhesions, abscesses can form
What can happen to the inflamed tube in a tubo-ovarian abscess?
It can become attached to the pelvic sidewall
Why is the prevalence of PID underestimated?
Because a large proportion of cases are asymptomatic
Who is the biggest group of PID sufferers?
Sexually active women
At what age is the peak prevalence of PID?
20-30
What is the incidence rate of PID in primary care?
˜280 in 100,000 py
What are the risk factors for PID?
Those for STIs;
- Younge age
- Lack of use of barrier contraception
- Multiple sexual partners
- Low socioeconomic class
And IUCD
When does IUCD increased the risk of PID?
When putting it in, and removing it
What is the aetiology of PID?
Often polymicrobial
What % of diagnoses of PID are accounted for by STIs?
25%
What microbes can cause PID?
- C. trachomatis D-K
- N gonorrhea
- Microbes causing bacterial vaginosis
What microbes cause bacterial vaginosis?
- Gardnella vaginalis
- Mycoplasma hominis
- Anaerobes
- Actinomycosis
What is the pathophysiology of PID?
Ascending infection from the endocervix. Infection causes inflammation, which causes damage, and thus damaged tubal epithelium and adhesions
What is the endocervix the site for?
Lower genital tract infection
Does the tubal epithelium recover following PID?
Some recovery, but not totally
What is the result of the long term damage to the tubal epithelium in PID?
Risk of infertility and ectopic pregnancy
What do adhesions cause in PID?
- Functions of tube inhibited
- Can lead to development of abscesses
What is the problem with diagnosing PID?
- A large majority of cases are asymptomatic
- Poor specificity of symptoms
What features of history suggest PID?
- Pyrexia
- Pain; lower abdominal pain and deep dysparunia
- Abnormal vaginal/cervical discharge
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding
- Sexual history and prior STI
- Contraceptive history
What is dysparuenia?
Pain when having sex
Describe the vaginal/cervical discharge in PID?
- Offensive smelling
- Purulent
What abnormal vaginal bleeding might be experienced with PID?
- Intermenstrual bleeding
- Post coitus bleeding
When might a prior PID history be a cause for concern?
When it was not properly treated
What features on examination are suggestive of PID?
- Fever over 28 degrees
- Lower abdominal tenderness
- Tenderness on bimanual examination
- Abnormal speculum examination