To compare the rates of cure of septic abortion and pelvic inflammatory disease using a daily dose of clindamycin with gentamicin versus divided doses.

In this retrospective cohort study, electronic records of 661 patients who used clindamycin 1 x , 3 x or 4 x/day (groups 1, 3 and 4, respectively) between September 2002 and August 2010 were analysed. Major outcomes included rates of cure and failure according to the clinical records. Secondary endpoints were percentage of adverse effects related to medication regimen and the prevalence of positive VDRL and HIV.

Similar conditions were observed in all groups – septic abortion: 167/116/123; pelvic inflammatory disease: 73/95/87 (groups 1, 3 and 4, respectively). No significant difference was found among groups for age or for rate of cure. Rates of cure (cure/total [rate (95%CI)]) in groups 1, 3 and 4 were 236/240 [0.983 (0.957–0.993)], 205/211 [0.971 (0.939–0.986)], 203/210 [0.966 (0.932–0.983)], respectively. Days of use of clindamycin was significantly reduced in group 1, compared to groups 3 and 4 (2.6 ± 1.3 vs. 3.5 ± 2.5 vs. 3.3 ± 1.9–mean ± SD; p < 0.0001–ANOVA), but this may be due to differences in how length of therapy was measured and not to the clinical cure.