"Older" age is a risk factor for pelvic inflammatory disease in intrauterine device users.

Background. To asses the role of a copper intrauterine device (IUD) per se in the development of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and complicated PID in women considered at low risk of PID. Methods. Cases were 51 women admitted to hospital with a diagnosis of acute PID, and controls were 50 healthy women attending an outpatient clinic for routine gynecological check-up. The women were 25-45 years old. Data were analyzed and compared between groups using the statistical program packagesas. Results. IUD use was not associated with an increased risk of PID in general, but in women ≥35 years, IUD use was associated with a risk of PID [odds ratio (OR) = 4.2, confidence interval (CI) 1.1-16.3]. When adjusting for smoking, educational level, employment, and microbial findings in women with PID, IUD use was associated with complicated PID in women ≥35 years (OR = 33.9, CI 1.2-959.6), but not in younger women. When adjusting age and IUD use duration for each other in IUD users, age ≥35 years was a significant ris...