OBJECTIVES: The combination of mifepristone and misoprostol is an established method for termination of pregnancy. However, there is no general agreement about how best to evaluate the treatment outcome. STUDY DESIGN: In 217 women with an unwanted pregnancy below 49 days of amenorrhoea, ultrasound examination and serum hCG test were performed before treatment and at follow-up. RESULTS: Treatment was successful in 98.2%. At follow-up their hCG dropped to a mean of 3% (S.D. 3) of initial levels and the endometrium measured a mean of 10 mm (S.D. 4). Interpretation of endometrium was difficult in some cases because of inhomogeneous structure. Using hCG was reliable in 98.5% of successful abortions. For ultrasound the corresponding figure was 89.8% for the cases with a confirmed intrauterine pregnancy before treatment but only 66% if all pregnancies were included. CONCLUSION: Measuring serum hCG before treatment and at follow-up is more effective than ultrasound to confirm a successful medically induced abortion in early pregnancy.
OBJECTIVES: The combination of mifepristone and misoprostol is an established method for termination of pregnancy. However, there is no general agreement about how best to evaluate the treatment outcome. STUDY DESIGN: In 217 women with an unwanted pregnancy below 49 days of amenorrhoea, ultrasound examination and serum hCG test were performed before treatment and at follow-up. RESULTS: Treatment was successful in 98.2%. At follow-up their hCG dropped to a mean of 3% (S.D. 3) of initial levels and the endometrium measured a mean of 10 mm (S.D. 4). Interpretation of endometrium was difficult in some cases because of inhomogeneous structure. Using hCG was reliable in 98.5% of successful abortions. For ultrasound the corresponding figure was 89.8% for the cases with a confirmed intrauterine pregnancy before treatment but only 66% if all pregnancies were included. CONCLUSION: Measuring serum hCG before treatment and at follow-up is more effective than ultrasound to confirm a successful medically induced abortion in early pregnancy.
Authors: Ian M Bennett; Margaret Baylson; Karin Kalkstein; Ginger Gillespie; Scarlett L Bellamy; Joan Fleischman Journal: Ann Fam Med Date: 2009 Nov-Dec Impact factor: 5.166
Authors: Mette Løkeland; Ole Erik Iversen; Anders Engeland; Ingrid Økland; Line Bjørge Journal: Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand Date: 2014-05-23 Impact factor: 3.636
Authors: Susanne Sjöström; Helena Kopp Kallner; Emilia Simeonova; Andreas Madestam; Kristina Gemzell-Danielsson Journal: PLoS One Date: 2016-06-30 Impact factor: 3.240