Evidence map›Paper›PMID 35308709›Full record

ArticleCureus2022

The Use of Beta-Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (β-hCG) Levels as a Predictor of Successful Medical Management of Ectopic Pregnancy.

Ahmed S Keshta, Dalal Alarabi, Rafiea Jeddy, Maryam M Almusalam, Noor Albastaki, Aysha Alsadoon, Warda Mustafa, Haya Albuainain, Nayla Bushaqer, Nawal M Dayoub

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Cureus, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Ahmed S KeshtaObstetrics and Gynaecology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland - Bahrain, Busaiteen, BHR.
Dalal AlarabiObstetrics and Gynaecology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland - Bahrain, Busaiteen, BHR.
Rafiea JeddyObstetrics and Gynaecology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland - Bahrain, Busaiteen, BHR.
Maryam M AlmusalamObstetrics and Gynaecology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland - Bahrain, Busaiteen, BHR.
Noor AlbastakiObstetrics and Gynaecology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland - Bahrain, Busaiteen, BHR.
Aysha AlsadoonObstetrics and Gynaecology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland - Bahrain, Busaiteen, BHR.
Warda MustafaObstetrics and Gynaecology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland - Bahrain, Busaiteen, BHR.
Haya AlbuainainObstetrics and Gynaecology, Bahrain Defense Force (BDF) Hospital, Riffa, BHR.
Nayla BushaqerObstetrics and Gynaecology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland - Bahrain, Busaiteen, BHR.
Nawal M DayoubObstetrics and Gynaecology, Assisted Reproduction and Gynaecology Centre, London, GBR.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Objectives The early diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy is essential in determining the appropriate therapeutic approach. This study demonstrates the important factors considered in the prediction of a successful medical treatment, which will, in turn, improve the quality of patient counseling and guidance prior to the initiation of the treatment. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of 58 ectopic pregnancies that were treated medically with methotrexate in Bahrain Defense Force (BDF) Hospital from January 2016 to January 2021. All patients that were offered medical treatment of ectopic pregnancy and completed the follow-up were included in the study. StatsDirect software was used to analyze the baseline characteristics of the successful and failed medical treatment of ectopic groups. Simple linear regression was used to correlate initial beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) levels and the drop of β-hCG levels after one week of medical treatment. Results Patients were divided into two outcomes: the primary outcome represented in the successful treatment group, 68.9% (40/58), and the secondary outcome represented in the unsuccessful treatment group 31% (18/58). The mean β-hCG level in the successful group was significantly lower than that of the unsuccessful treatment group (1403.6±1421 IU/L versus 2845.1±1705 IU/L, p=0.001). There were no differences between the two groups with regards to the size of the adnexal mass, presence of gestational sac, or size of the gestational sac. The cut-off value of the initial β-hCG level for successful medical treatment was 2,141 IU/L, with 72% sensitivity, 75% specificity, and receiver operator curve (ROC) of 0.76 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.63 to 0.89)]. The cut-off value of β-hCG fell between day four and day seven and was 37.2%, with 78% sensitivity, 68% specificity, and a ROC curve of 0.72 (95% CI = 0.55 to 0.89). Conclusion This study found that low initial β-hCG levels can be used to predict successful methotrexate treatment of ectopic pregnancy. In this cohort of patients, the cut-off level of initial β-hCG for successful treatment was 2141 IU/L.

Indexed as

ectopic pregnancyhcghuman chorionic gonadotropinmethotrexatetreatment outcome

Identifiers

PMID35308709
PMCPMC8924988

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.