Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Trends Among Emergency Department Visits in North Carolina, 2008 to 2017 Original paper
Researched by:
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Divine Aleru
ID
Divine Aleru
I am a biochemist with a deep curiosity for the human microbiome and how it shapes human health, and I enjoy making microbiome science more accessible through research and writing. With 2 years experience in microbiome research, I have curated microbiome studies, analyzed microbial signatures, and now focus on interventions as a Microbiome Signatures and Interventions Research Coordinator.
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Women’s Health
Women’s Health
Women’s health, a vital aspect of medical science, encompasses various conditions unique to women’s physiological makeup. Historically, women were often excluded from clinical research, leading to a gap in understanding the intricacies of women’s health needs. However, recent advancements have highlighted the significant role that the microbiome plays in these conditions, offering new insights and potential therapies. MicrobiomeSignatures.com is at the forefront of exploring the microbiome signature of each of these conditions to unravel the etiology of these diseases and develop targeted microbiome therapies.
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Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is a complex interplay between pathogens, immune responses, and microbial communities. As research continues to uncover the microbiome's role in reproductive health, microbiome-targeted interventions (MBTIs) such as probiotics, prebiotics, and transplants are redefining how we prevent and treat PID. This page dives deep into these innovations, offering a glimpse into the future of personalized, biologically informed women’s healthcare.
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Divine Aleru
Researched by:
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Divine Aleru
ID
Divine Aleru
Microbiome Signatures identifies and validates condition-specific microbiome shifts and interventions to accelerate clinical translation. Our multidisciplinary team supports clinicians, researchers, and innovators in turning microbiome science into actionable medicine.
Divine Aleru
What was studied?
This study examined trends in pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) diagnoses among women aged 15-44 years visiting emergency departments (EDs) in North Carolina (NC) from 2008 to 2017. Researchers utilized the North Carolina Disease Event Tracking and Epidemiology Collection Tool (NC DETECT), a real-time surveillance system gathering data from nearly all NC emergency departments. The primary goal was to identify trends and disparities in PID diagnoses based on demographic factors such as age, socioeconomic status, insurance coverage, and regional location.
Who was studied?
The study included women aged 15-44 who visited emergency departments in North Carolina between 2008 and 2017. The analysis specifically targeted PID diagnoses identified through ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM diagnostic codes within ED visit records. The study reviewed a total of 54,502 ED visits by 51,847 women diagnosed with PID during this period.
What were the most important findings?
The study found a significant decline in PID diagnoses from 1.0% (6,189 women) in 2008 to 0.58% (4,337 women) in 2016, with a slight increase to 0.61% (4,371 women) in 2017. The majority (95.5%) of women diagnosed with PID visited the ED only once annually. PID diagnoses were most prevalent among women aged 20-24 years, those covered by public insurance, and women living in the most impoverished neighborhoods. Regionally, the Coastal area of NC showed the highest PID rates.
The study emphasized that approximately 20% of PID cases are attributable to untreated Chlamydia trachomatis, while about one-third to half are caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Additional pathogens such as Mycoplasma genitalium and other bacteria associated with bacterial vaginosis also contribute to PID. Notably, fewer than 2% of women diagnosed with PID in EDs had a concurrent or prior diagnosis of chlamydia or gonorrhea within the same year, indicating possible gaps in STI screening or reporting in emergency settings.
What are the greatest implications of this study?
The major implications of this study highlight the limitations of current PID reporting and diagnostic practices. Despite PID being a reportable condition, significant underreporting exists, as indicated by the discrepancy between reported cases and ED diagnoses. The findings suggest a need for improved public health strategies to increase screening and treatment for underlying infections, particularly chlamydia and gonorrhea, to reduce PID incidence. Recognizing that the highest burden occurs among socioeconomically disadvantaged groups and younger women, targeted interventions to enhance STI screening and education in these populations could significantly mitigate PID’s long-term reproductive consequences, such as infertility and ectopic pregnancies
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is a complex interplay between pathogens, immune responses, and microbial communities. As research continues to uncover the microbiome's role in reproductive health, microbiome-targeted interventions (MBTIs) such as probiotics, prebiotics, and transplants are redefining how we prevent and treat PID. This page dives deep into these innovations, offering a glimpse into the future of personalized, biologically informed women’s healthcare.
Bacterial Vaginosis
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is caused by an imbalance in the vaginal microbiota, where the typically dominant Lactobacillus species are significantly reduced, leading to an overgrowth of anaerobic and facultative bacteria.