Association of Chlamydia trachomatis with the Diagnosis of Acute Cervicitis

Abstract

Introduction: Chlamydia trachomatis infection is the most frequent sexually transmitted disease in the world causing heightened morbidity in women. Currently there are few studies about its prevalence in our population; therefore, the implementation of a pilot study about its frequency in women with and without acute cervicitis is necessary. Objective: Determine the association between Chlamydia trachomatis infection and the diagnosis of acute cervicitis in the consulting women in both the outpatient and inpatient services of the Hospital Universitario de Santander (HUS). Method: Case control study including 284 patients of adult age, non-pregnant and without menses who consulted HUS. Cases with acute cervicitis diagnosis and routine control ones were considered for the purpose of this study. Endocervical samples and a quick diagnostic method for Chlamydia trachomatis, Bioline Chlamydia SD were applied. Results: Mean age was 32.08 and 28.82 years for cases and controls, mean difference was 3.27, p = 0.001. There were also differences in the evaluation of marital status; 82.40% controls have a marital relationship versus 71.83% cases, p = 0.014; occupation, more students in the cervicitis group, p = 0.020; and alcohol consumption, 21.13% in cervicitis patients versus 11.27% in the control group, p = 0.024. Chlamydia prevalence was 7.04% in controls and 11.97% in cases, p = 0.157. There was no association between acute cervicitis and Chlamydia infection, OR = 1.79 (IC 95% 0.74 – 4.55). This lack of association persists after adjusting for confusing factors (OR = 1.71, IC 95% 0.72 – 4.04). In the multivariate analysis only alcohol consumption is associated with acute cervicitis, OR = 4.442 (IC 95% 1.362 – 14.215). Conclusions: There was no association between Chlamydia trachomatis infection and acute cervicitis. Prevalence was similar for both groups; there were no socio-demographic differences. Only alcohol consumption was associated with bacterial colonization and acute cervicitis. [Jaimes-Bravo JM. Association of Chlamydia trachomatis with the Diagnosis of Acute Cervicitis. MedUNAB 2015; 18(2):116-124]