Management of first-episode pelvic inflammatory disease in primary care: results from a large UK primary care database.
BACKGROUND
Prompt and effective treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) may help prevent long-term complications. Many PID cases are seen in primary care but it is not known how well management follows recommended guidelines.


OBJECTIVE
To estimate the incidence of first-episode PID cases seen in UK general practice, describe their management, and assess its adequacy in relation to existing guidelines.


METHODS
Cohort study.


METHODS
UK general practices contributing to the General Practice Research Database (GPRD).


METHODS
Women aged 15 to 40 years, consulting with a first episode of PID occurring between 30 June 2003 and 30 June 2008 were identified, based on the presence of a diagnostic code. The records within 28 days either side of the diagnosis date were analysed to describe management.


RESULTS
A total of 3797 women with a first-ever coded diagnosis of PID were identified. Incidence fell during the study period from 19.3 to 8.9/10 000 person-years. Thirty-four per cent of cases had evidence of care elsewhere, while 2064 (56%) appeared to have been managed wholly within the practice. Of these 2064 women, 34% received recommended treatment including metronidazole, and 54% had had a Chlamydia trachomatis test, but only 16% received both. Management was more likely to follow guidelines in women in their 20s, and later in the study period.


CONCLUSIONS
These analyses suggest that the management of PID in UK primary care, although improving, does not follow recommended guidelines for the majority of women. Further research is needed to understand the delivery of care in general practice and the coding of such complex syndromic conditions.
Nicholson
Amanda
A
Division of Primary Care and Public Health, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Brighton, Brighton. a.c.nicholson@bsms.ac.uk
Rait
Greta
G
Murray-Thomas
Tarita
T
Hughes
Gwenda
G
Mercer
Catherine H
CH
Cassell
Jackie
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis; D016208:Databases, Factual; D057286:Electronic Health Records; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000292:Pelvic Inflammatory Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D008795:Metronidazole