Prevalence of Gonorrhoeal and/or Chlamydial Infection in Hospitalized Patients with Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of gonorrhoeal and/or chlamydial infection in
hospitalized patients with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and to evaluate the factors
which might be associated with these infections.
Study design: Cross-sectional study.
Setting: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital.
Materials and Methods: Seventy-six women with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), who were
admitted at Siriraj Hospital from December 2007 to August 2008, were recruited.
Gonorrhoeal and chlamydial infections were identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
from endocervical swab. Demographic data were utilized for assessment regarding factors
associated with gonorrhoeal or chlamydial infections. The student T-test, Chi-square and
multivariable regression analysis were applied for analysis.
Results: The prevalence of gonorrhoeal and/or chlamydial infection in PID patients was
35.5%. Gonorrhoeal infection was detected for 23.7% of PID patients whereas Chlamydial
infection was detected for 19.7%. Nevertheless, 33.3% of patients who had gonorrhoeal
infection were found to have co-infection of C.trachomatis. Analysis by multivariable logistic
regression, revealed that factors associated with gonorrhoeal and/or chlamydial infection
were socioeconomic factor i.e. the women who had income less than 5,000 Baht per month
(AOR = 3.9; 95%CI = 1.03-14.86; p-value = 0.045) and those who had sexual intercourse
during menstruation period (AOR = 6.19, 95%CI = 1.42-26.9; p-value = 0.015).
Conclusion: About one-third of women with PID had gonorrhoeal and/or chlamydial infection.
Women who had lower socioeconomic status and had sexual intercourse during menstrual
bleeding were more likely to have these infections.