Toxic Shock Syndrome in Utah: A Case-Control and Surveillance Study

Abstract

In 1980, a case-control study done in Utah using 29 women hospitalized with toxic shock syndrome and 91 neighborhood controls showed a statistically significant association between the use of tampons, in particular, the use of a single brand of tampons, Rely (Procter & Gamble), and the illness. A decline in cases of toxic shock syndrome in Utah has been noted since September 1980, when Rely tampons were withdrawn from the market. Changes in surveillance activities and reporting do not appear to be important contributors to this decline. The annual attack rate based on cases occurring in the first 9 months of 1980 was 12.3 per 100 000 female subjects aged 12 to 49 years; during the subsequent 9 months, the illness rate declined to 4.8 cases per 100 000.