A 24-year-old sexually active woman presents with lower abdominal pain, cervical motion tenderness, and adnexal tenderness on bimanual examination. Temperature is 38.2°C. Cervical swab for NAAT is sent. The minimum CDC diagnostic criteria for PID is:
- A Fever >38°C + cervical discharge + elevated ESR
- B Uterine tenderness OR adnexal tenderness OR cervical motion tenderness in a sexually active woman with no other cause identified ✓
- C Positive NAAT for Chlamydia or Gonorrhoea with pelvic pain
- D Tubo-ovarian abscess on ultrasound with lower abdominal pain
Correct answer: B. Uterine tenderness OR adnexal tenderness OR cervical motion tenderness in a sexually active woman with no other cause identified
Explanation
The CDC minimum (empiric) criteria for PID treatment are: uterine tenderness OR adnexal tenderness OR cervical motion tenderness in sexually active women of reproductive age when no other cause is identified. Additional criteria (fever, elevated inflammatory markers, positive NAAT, mucopurulent cervicitis, WBC on microscopy) enhance specificity but are not required to initiate treatment. Early empiric treatment is recommended to prevent long-term sequelae.
Reference: Shaw's Textbook of Gynaecology, 17th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.