[Correlation between use of IUD and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) as independent variables and risk of occurrence of ectopic pregnancy].

The relationship between IUD and ectopic pregnancy was evaluated in a study involving 189 controls and 69 women with ectopic pregnancy. The patients involved were between the ages of 18 and 45, sexually active, without previous tubal ligation; they were interviewed about previous pregnancies, diseases, abortions and their socio-economic status. Diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy was made using serum pregnancy tests, needle biopsies of the Douglas pouch and/or ultrasound and/or laparoscope. The results show that there is no statistical difference between patients using the IUD with a history of previous PID and those with previous PID who had never used an IUD; instead, there is a 10-fold risk in women affected by PID, regardless if IUD use. Women who had used an IUD for less than 3 years showed a smaller risk than those who had used the IUD for a greater period of time. Finally there was no difference in women not affected by PID, regardless of IUD use. This ultimately correlates with the notion that one of the mechanisms of action of the IUD consists of an endometrial inflammation as seen in foreign-body reactions.