Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: Sensitivity and Specificity

Introduction: Infection of the internal female genital organs.

50% from Chlamydia trachomatis. Others: Neisseria gonorrheae, mycoplasma, etc.

The sensitivity and specificity of findings for Pelvic Inflammatory Disease are listed below. See the left navigation bar to change the display.

Pre-Test Probability (Prevalence): %.	Post-Test Probability (Predictive Value): %.	Switch to display mode.
Note that calculating probabilities from more than one** finding is inherently inaccurate because findings are not independent. (For example, using two positive findings that share a common pathogenesis is likely to overestimate the true probability.)

Sensitive and Specific Findings
Finding	Result	Sensitivity	Specificity
[ + ] Abdominal MRI	+ 0 -	95%	93%
note: small series Study: J Infect. 2000 Jan;40(1):31-41. PMID: 10762109
[ + ] Nuclear WBC Scan	+ 0 -	95%	85%
Study: J Infect. 2000 Jan;40(1):31-41. PMID: 10762109

Sensitive Findings
Finding	Result	Sensitivity	Specificity
[ + ] Adnexal tenderness	+ 0 -	93%	6%
in 61 women with non-specific lower abdominal pain Study: Infect Dis Obstet Gynecol. 2002;10(4):171-80; PMID: 12648310
[ + ] Transvaginal US	+ 0 -	87%	50%
NOTE: very large CI for specificity (5-100%)! Study: J Infect. 2000 Jan;40(1):31-41. PMID: 10762109

Negative Findings
Finding	Result	Sensitivity	Specificity
[ + ] Leukocytosis	+ 0 -	50%	40%
Study: J Infect. 2000 Jan;40(1):31-41. PMID: 10762109
[ + ] Adnexal tenderness	+ 0 -	93%	6%
in 61 women with non-specific lower abdominal pain Study: Infect Dis Obstet Gynecol. 2002;10(4):171-80; PMID: 12648310

Specific Findings
Finding	Result	Sensitivity	Specificity
[ + ] Purulent endocervical secretion	+ 0 -	23%	93%
in 61 women with non-specific lower abdominal pain. Study: Infect Dis Obstet Gynecol. 2002;10(4):171-80; PMID: 12648310
[ + ] Proctitis Symptoms	+ 0 -	10%	92%
Study: Sex Transm Infect. 2003 Dec;79(6):491-4. PMID: 14663128
[ + ] Rebound	+ 0 -	25%	90%
in 61 women with non-specific lower abdominal pain. Study: Infect Dis Obstet Gynecol. 2002;10(4):171-80; PMID: 12648310
[ + ] Emesis	+ 0 -	14%	88%
Study: Sex Transm Infect. 2003 Dec;79(6):491-4. PMID: 14663128

Poorly Diagnostic Findings
Finding	Result	Sensitivity	Specificity
[ + ] Vaginal Bleeding	+ 0 -	25%	77%
Study: Sex Transm Infect. 2003 Dec;79(6):491-4. PMID: 14663128
[ + ] Vaginal discharge	+ 0 -	40%	73%
in 61 women with non-specific lower abdominal pain. Another meta-analysis gave 74%/24%. Study: Infect Dis Obstet Gynecol. 2002;10(4):171-80; PMID: 12648310 Sex Transm Infect. 2003 Dec;79(6):491-4. PMID: 14663128
[ + ] Adnexal Mass	+ 0 -	52%	70%
palpable Study: Sex Transm Infect. 2003 Dec;79(6):491-4. PMID: 14663128
[ + ] hearing loss	+ 0 -	47%	64%
Study: Sex Transm Infect. 2003 Dec;79(6):491-4. PMID: 14663128
[ + ] Menstrual Irregularity	+ 0 -	45%	57%
Study: Sex Transm Infect. 2003 Dec;79(6):491-4. PMID: 14663128
[ + ] Elevated ESR	+ 0 -	80%	50%
Study: J Infect. 2000 Jan;40(1):31-41. PMID: 10762109
[ + ] Cervical motion tenderness	+ 0 -	63%	40%
in 61 women with non-specific lower abdominal pain Study: Infect Dis Obstet Gynecol. 2002;10(4):171-80; PMID: 12648310
[ + ] Abdominal US		Sensitivity = 78%
Study: J Infect. 2000 Jan;40(1):31-41. PMID: 10762109