Epidemiologic follow-up study of patients with gonococcal pelvic inflammatory disease.

Thorough epidemiologic assessment by trained personnel is important in the management of all cases of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) due to Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Results of interviewing and an intensive epidemiologic follow-up study of 58 cases of gonococcal PID are presented. A total of 34 (49%) of the 69 male contacts examined were infected with N. gonorrhoeae. Twenty-three (68%) of the 34 were symptomatic, and 11 (32%) were asymptomatic. The interviews with the 58 patients who had PID clearly revealed their lack of comprehension of the nature of their infection. Nineteen (33%) of the 58 admitted reexposure after treatment to one of their contacts before he was examined. Intensive epidemiologic follow-up efforts and comprehensive education must be included in the routine management of patients with gonococcal PID; cooperative efforts by hospitals and local or state health departments are necessary components of treatment and prevention.