Twelve RCTs (n=5,188) were included.
The overall summary RR estimate for developing postabortal upper genital tract infection in women receiving antibiotic therapy compared with those receiving placebo was 0.58 (95% CI: 0.47, 0.71).
Those with a history of PID had a RR estimate of 0.56 (95% CI: 0.37, 0.84). Women with a positive chlamydia culture at abortion had a summary RR estimate of 0.38 (95% CI: 0.15, 0.92).
Of low-risk women, those with no reported history of PID had a summary RR estimate of 0.65 (95% CI: 0.47, 0.90); in women with a negative chlamydia culture, the summary RR estimate was 0.63 (95% CI: 0.42, 0.97).
Heterogeneity was found in most summary estimates.