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.

Blood Test

80%

50%

Study: J Infect. 2000 Jan;40(1):31-41. PMID: 10762109

50%

40%

Study: J Infect. 2000 Jan;40(1):31-41. PMID: 10762109

History

14%

88%

Study: Sex Transm Infect. 2003 Dec;79(6):491-4. PMID: 14663128

Imaging

95%

93%

note: small series

Study: J Infect. 2000 Jan;40(1):31-41. PMID: 10762109

Sensitivity = 78%

Study: J Infect. 2000 Jan;40(1):31-41. PMID: 10762109

Physical Exam

Finding	Sensitivity	Specificity	Comments, Study
Adnexal tenderness	93%	6%	in 61 women with non-specific lower abdominal pain Study: Infect Dis Obstet Gynecol. 2002;10(4):171-80; PMID: 12648310
Cervical motion tenderness	63%	40%	in 61 women with non-specific lower abdominal pain Study: Infect Dis Obstet Gynecol. 2002;10(4):171-80; PMID: 12648310
hearing loss	47%	64%	Study: Sex Transm Infect. 2003 Dec;79(6):491-4. PMID: 14663128
Rebound	25%	90%	in 61 women with non-specific lower abdominal pain. Study: Infect Dis Obstet Gynecol. 2002;10(4):171-80; PMID: 12648310

Renal

47%

64%

Study: Sex Transm Infect. 2003 Dec;79(6):491-4. PMID: 14663128

Vital Signs

47%

64%

Study: Sex Transm Infect. 2003 Dec;79(6):491-4. PMID: 14663128

Untagged

Finding	Sensitivity	Specificity	Comments, Study
Adnexal Mass	52%	70%	palpable Study: Sex Transm Infect. 2003 Dec;79(6):491-4. PMID: 14663128
Menstrual Irregularity	45%	57%	Study: Sex Transm Infect. 2003 Dec;79(6):491-4. PMID: 14663128
Nuclear WBC Scan	95%	85%	Study: J Infect. 2000 Jan;40(1):31-41. PMID: 10762109
Proctitis Symptoms	10%	92%	Study: Sex Transm Infect. 2003 Dec;79(6):491-4. PMID: 14663128
Purulent endocervical secretion	23%	93%	in 61 women with non-specific lower abdominal pain. Study: Infect Dis Obstet Gynecol. 2002;10(4):171-80; PMID: 12648310
Transvaginal US	87%	50%	NOTE: very large CI for specificity (5-100%)! Study: J Infect. 2000 Jan;40(1):31-41. PMID: 10762109
Vaginal Bleeding	25%	77%	Study: Sex Transm Infect. 2003 Dec;79(6):491-4. PMID: 14663128
Vaginal discharge	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