complications

Last reviewed 10/2020

Short term complications of PID include:

  • abscess formation in fallopian tube, ovary or in the pelvic cavity
  • generalised peritonitis - in case of pelvic abscess (1)
  • Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome - a right upper quadrant pain associated with perihepatitis seen in around 10-20% of patients with PID (2)

Long term complications

  • recurrent disease - repeated episodes of PID are common, probably because of impaired local host defences
  • chronic pelvic pain - this is a common sequelae to PID and may indicate structural damage to the fallopian tubes following resolution of the disease, or an erroneous diagnosis
  • ectopic pregnancy - eight times more likely for a subsequent pregnancy to be ectopic
  • infertility due to tubal occlusion: - single episode - 12.8% risk - three or more episodes - 75 % risk
  • adhesions of the surrounding organs

Up to 70% of women investigated for infertility due to tubal occlusion demonstrate serum antibodies to C. trachomatis compared to 25% of those infertile for other reasons; 30-80% of those infertile from tubal blockage have no history of clinical disease.

Overall, 25% of women who experience a single episode of PID suffer subsequent pain, infertility or ectopic pregnancy.

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