A 24-year-old sexually active woman presents with bilateral lower abdominal pain, cervical motion tenderness, and mucopurulent cervical discharge. Temperature is 38.2°C. What is the MINIMUM diagnostic criterion for diagnosing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) according to CDC guidelines?
- A Elevated CRP plus positive NAAT for gonorrhea
- B Cervical motion tenderness, uterine tenderness, or adnexal tenderness in a sexually active woman ✓
- C Endometrial biopsy showing plasma cell endometritis
- D Laparoscopy confirming tubal inflammation
Correct answer: B. Cervical motion tenderness, uterine tenderness, or adnexal tenderness in a sexually active woman
Explanation
The CDC minimum criteria for empirical PID treatment are cervical motion tenderness, uterine tenderness, or adnexal tenderness in a sexually active woman with no other identifiable cause. This low threshold is intentional because the consequences of untreated PID—infertility, ectopic pregnancy, chronic pelvic pain—far outweigh the risks of empirical antibiotic treatment. Laparoscopy is the gold standard but is reserved for diagnostic uncertainty.
Reference: Shaw's Textbook of Gynaecology, 17th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.