Derya Akdag Cirik1, Tugba Kinay2, Ugur Keskin3, Eda Ozden2, Metin Altay2, Orhan Gelisen2. 1. Early Pregnancy Clinic, Etlik Zubeyde Hanım Women's Health Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. Electronic address: deryaakdag@yahoo.com. 2. Early Pregnancy Clinic, Etlik Zubeyde Hanım Women's Health Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. 3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gülhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To compare the success of the single-dose methotrexate regimen and the requirement for a second or third dose of methotrexate between women with their first ectopic pregnancy (EP) and those with previous EP. METHODS: In a retrospective cohort study, data were analyzed from women treated for EP by single-dose methotrexate at a Turkish tertiary referral center between January 2010 and December 2013. Data were compared between women with at least one previous EP and those with their first EP. RESULTS: The success rate of the protocol in the first and previous EP groups was similar: 93.0% (320/344) and 87.3% (48/55), respectively. History of previous EP was not a predictor of treatment failure. However, the requirement for additional methotrexate doses was significantly higher in the previous EP group (16/48 [33.4%]) than in the first EP group (55/320 [17.2%]; P=0.03). Multivariate analysis showed that history of tubal surgery (P=0.006) and initial levels of the β-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (P=0.001) were significant predictors of treatment failure. CONCLUSION: Although the single-dose regimen had similar success rates in the previous EP and first EP groups, additional doses of methotrexate were more frequently required in the previous EP group.
OBJECTIVE: To compare the success of the single-dose methotrexate regimen and the requirement for a second or third dose of methotrexate between women with their first ectopic pregnancy (EP) and those with previous EP. METHODS: In a retrospective cohort study, data were analyzed from women treated for EP by single-dose methotrexate at a Turkish tertiary referral center between January 2010 and December 2013. Data were compared between women with at least one previous EP and those with their first EP. RESULTS: The success rate of the protocol in the first and previous EP groups was similar: 93.0% (320/344) and 87.3% (48/55), respectively. History of previous EP was not a predictor of treatment failure. However, the requirement for additional methotrexate doses was significantly higher in the previous EP group (16/48 [33.4%]) than in the first EP group (55/320 [17.2%]; P=0.03). Multivariate analysis showed that history of tubal surgery (P=0.006) and initial levels of the β-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (P=0.001) were significant predictors of treatment failure. CONCLUSION: Although the single-dose regimen had similar success rates in the previous EP and first EP groups, additional doses of methotrexate were more frequently required in the previous EP group.