Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Among Female Patients Presenting with Low Backache in an Orthopaedics OPD: A Prospective Epidemiological Study

Background: Low backache is common among women and may have both musculoskeletal and gynecological causes. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) can present with low backache and other nonspecific symptoms and may therefore be overlooked in women attending an Orthopaedics OPD. The objective is to determine the frequency of PID among female patients presenting with low backache to an Orthopaedics OPD and describe their associated clinical and sociodemographic characteristics. Material and Methods: This prospective epidemiological study was conducted from January 2025 to December 2025 at the Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Swami Rama Himalayan University, Dehradun. A total of 176 female patients presenting with low backache to the Orthopaedics OPD were included. Patients with clinical or radiological evidence of disc prolapse, spinal tuberculosis, or other spinal diseases were excluded. Detailed history, clinical examination, and relevant investigations were performed. PID was diagnosed based on clinical evaluation and relevant investigations. Results: PID was identified in 48 of 176 patients (27.3%). The largest proportion of patients belonged to the 40–49 years age group (36.9%). Most patients had low socioeconomic status (64.8%), were literate (75.0%), obese (63.6%), and parous (76.7%). Discharge per vaginum was the most common associated complaint (52.8%), followed by lower abdominal pain (43.2%). Regarding contraceptive use, 75 (42.6%) reported no contraception, 56 (31.8%) used an intrauterine contraceptive device, and 45 (25.6%) used oral contraceptive pills. Conclusion: PID was identified in more than one fourth of female patients presenting with low backache to the Orthopaedics OPD. Gynecological causes should therefore be considered during the evaluation of women with low backache, particularly when associated symptoms are present.

Keywords: Pelvic inflammatory disease; Low backache; Orthopaedics OPD; Female patients; Gynecological morbidity.