TY - JOUR
T1 - Management of first-episode pelvic inflammatory disease in primary care
T2 - Results from a large UK primary care database
AU - Nicholson, Amanda
AU - Rait, Greta
AU - Murray-Thomas, Tarita
AU - Hughes, Gwenda
AU - Mercer, Catherine H.
AU - Cassell, Jackie
PY - 2010/10
Y1 - 2010/10
N2 - 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. Aim 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. Design of study Cohort study. Setting UK general practices contributing to the General Practice Research Database (GPRD). Method 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. Conclusion 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.
AB - 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. Aim 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. Design of study Cohort study. Setting UK general practices contributing to the General Practice Research Database (GPRD). Method 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. Conclusion 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.
KW - Chlamydia
KW - Electronic health records
KW - Incidence
KW - Pelvic inflammatory disease
KW - Primary health care
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=78650564269&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3399/bjgp10X532404
DO - 10.3399/bjgp10X532404
M3 - Article
C2 - 20883614
AN - SCOPUS:78650564269
SN - 0960-1643
VL - 60
SP - e395-e406
JO - British Journal of General Practice
JF - British Journal of General Practice
IS - 579
ER -