Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
http://www.100md.com
《新英格兰医药杂志》
Pelvic inflammatory disease is common and costly. Worldwide, approximately 333 million women with this disease present with acute signs and symptoms of pelvic infection, but countless others suffer from long-term sequelae of the disease, including pain, infertility, and sexual dysfunction. The lifetime cost of treatment for each affected woman is estimated to be $3,000 in the developed world. We have all seen these women in our clinical practice. We often dread their visits because their problems are difficult to cure, and women with pelvic inflammatory disease are often frustrated by the lack of physicians who are informed about the disease. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease examines this condition from its epidemiologic risk factors to its treatment and prevention. The result is an evidence-based guide for the care of women who either are at risk for pelvic inflammatory disease or already have the condition.
The authors substantiate several common beliefs regarding pelvic inflammatory disease, including that infertility is common, early treatment is better than delayed treatment, and consistent use of condoms prevents infection. They cite other evidence that refutes previously held beliefs by showing that women (including adolescents) can be treated as outpatients, that users of intrauterine devices do not have a higher risk of disease than those who do not use intrauterine devices, and that not all tubo-ovarian abscesses require invasive surgery to ensure adequate treatment. Each conclusion in the book is substantiated by an exhaustive review of the literature, allowing readers to form their own conclusions regarding supporting evidence.
Particularly important is the description of subclinical disease, a silent epidemic with wide-ranging effects on the reproductive health of women. These women and their doctors may have no clue about infection until the women present for treatment of infertility or ectopic pregnancy. The fact that all disease is not clinically detectable underlines the importance of adequate prevention strategies.
Aimed at a medical audience, this book is of interest to both practicing physicians and researchers. Despite a list of diverse authors, the writing style is cohesive and well punctuated with tables and graphs that summarize information in the text. Illustrations of pathological specimens and radiographic images fill in the blanks regarding the pathology and clinical presentation of pelvic inflammatory disease. The editors state in the preface that they hope that by providing a comprehensive resource on pelvic inflammatory disease, they will empower clinicians with a knowledge base that will improve the reproductive health of women. They have achieved their goal.
Rebecca G. Rogers, M.D.
University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center
Albuquerque, NM 87110
rrogers@salud.unm.edu(Edited by Richard L. Swee)
The authors substantiate several common beliefs regarding pelvic inflammatory disease, including that infertility is common, early treatment is better than delayed treatment, and consistent use of condoms prevents infection. They cite other evidence that refutes previously held beliefs by showing that women (including adolescents) can be treated as outpatients, that users of intrauterine devices do not have a higher risk of disease than those who do not use intrauterine devices, and that not all tubo-ovarian abscesses require invasive surgery to ensure adequate treatment. Each conclusion in the book is substantiated by an exhaustive review of the literature, allowing readers to form their own conclusions regarding supporting evidence.
Particularly important is the description of subclinical disease, a silent epidemic with wide-ranging effects on the reproductive health of women. These women and their doctors may have no clue about infection until the women present for treatment of infertility or ectopic pregnancy. The fact that all disease is not clinically detectable underlines the importance of adequate prevention strategies.
Aimed at a medical audience, this book is of interest to both practicing physicians and researchers. Despite a list of diverse authors, the writing style is cohesive and well punctuated with tables and graphs that summarize information in the text. Illustrations of pathological specimens and radiographic images fill in the blanks regarding the pathology and clinical presentation of pelvic inflammatory disease. The editors state in the preface that they hope that by providing a comprehensive resource on pelvic inflammatory disease, they will empower clinicians with a knowledge base that will improve the reproductive health of women. They have achieved their goal.
Rebecca G. Rogers, M.D.
University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center
Albuquerque, NM 87110
rrogers@salud.unm.edu(Edited by Richard L. Swee)