Ectopic pregnancy: the surgical epidemic.

Ectopic pregnancy has become a major health problem in terms of its morbidity and its impact on health care resources. In a case-control study involving 40 black patients, the odds ratio of developing ectopic pregnancy in current and former intrauterine device users is 11.7, which is statistically significant. The odds ratio for patients with a history of pelvic inflammatory disease is 4.4, which is statistically insignificant. A review of the current literature indicates Chlamydia salpingitis as the major cause of the ectopic epidemic. Prompt and effective treatment of this venereal disease may curtail health care expenses and prevent suffering of thousands of women each year.