BACKGROUND: Women who suffer an early pregnancy loss require specific clinical care, aftercare, and ongoing support. In the UK, the clinical management of early pregnancy complications, including loss is provided mainly through specialist Early Pregnancy Assessment Units. The COVID-19 pandemic fundamentally changed the way in which maternity and gynaecological care was delivered, as health systems moved to rapidly reconfigure and re-organise services, aiming to reduce the risk and spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection. PUDDLES is an international collaboration investigating the pandemic\'s impact on care for people who suffered a perinatal bereavement. Presented here are initial qualitative findings undertaken with UK-based women who suffered early pregnancy losses during the pandemic, about how they navigated the healthcare system and its restrictions, and how they were supported.
METHODS: In-keeping with a qualitative research design, in-depth semi-structured interviews were undertaken with an opportunity sample of women (N = 32) who suffered any early pregnancy loss during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were analysed using a template analysis to understand women\'s access to services, care, and networks of support, during the pandemic following their pregnancy loss. The thematic template was based on findings from parents who had suffered a late-miscarriage, stillbirth, or neonatal death in the UK, during the pandemic.
RESULTS: All women had experienced reconfigured maternity and early pregnancy services. Data supported themes of: 1) COVID-19 Restrictions as Impractical & Impersonal; 2) Alone, with Only Staff to Support Them; 3) Reduction in Service Provision Leading to Perceived Devaluation in Care; and 4) Seeking Their Own Support. Results suggest access to early pregnancy loss services was reduced and pandemic-related restrictions were often impractical (i.e., restrictions added to burden of accessing or receiving care). Women often reported being isolated and, concerningly, aspects of early pregnancy loss services were reported as sub-optimal.
CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide important insight for the recovery and rebuilding of health services in the post-pandemic period and help us prepare for providing a higher standard of care in the future and through any other health system shocks. Conclusions made can inform future policy and planning to ensure best possible support for women who experience early pregnancy loss.

UNASSIGNED: Ectopic pregnancy (EP) can be treated surgically or nonsurgically. In many countries, methotrexate is frequently used as a first-line medical treatment, and its effect is similar to that of surgery in selected patients. We aimed to investigate national trends in the treatment of EP in Japan.
UNASSIGNED: We conducted a retrospective observational analysis between 2010 and 2020 using a nationwide claims database that included inpatient data. We identified female inpatients with EP aged 15 to 49 years old. We analysed year-to-year treatment trends for EP, as well as year-to-year trends in methotrexate administration, with a focus on the site of the pregnancy. Patients who received methotrexate were divided into two groups: Those with and those without surgery after methotrexate use. We compared the characteristics of these groups and calculated the methotrexate success rate.
UNASSIGNED: We identified 53,653 patients with EP. The proportion of patients undergoing surgery increased from 79% in 2010 to 83% in 2020, whereas the proportion of methotrexate therapy decreased from 8.1% in 2010 to 5.1% in 2020. Regarding methotrexate use for the site of the pregnancy, there was a significant downward trend in methotrexate therapy for tubal pregnancies. Notably, the methotrexate success rate was 84% during the study period.
UNASSIGNED: Surgery showed an increasing tendency over time, whereas methotrexate therapy showed a decreasing tendency for EP treatment in Japan. The efficacy of methotrexate in Japan was comparable to that observed in other countries.
Treatment for ectopic pregnancy includes surgical and non-surgical management. Medical treatment can be as effective as surgery in cases that meet certain criteria. Methotrexate, which is commonly employed as a medical treatment, is widely used in many countries outside Japan. However, reports on methotrexate therapy for ectopic pregnancy in Japan are limited, and the actual status of its use remains unknown. We investigated the treatment trends for ectopic pregnancy in Japan using nationwide inpatient data. The results demonstrated that surgeries increased from 79% in 2010 to 83% in 2020, while methotrexate therapy declined from 8.1% to 5.1%. Methotrexate therapy demonstrated an 84% success rate. Unlike many other countries, surgery became more prevalent while methotrexate therapy decreased for inpatients with ectopic pregnancy in Japan. The success rate of methotrexate in Japan was comparable to that in other countries. Thus, Japanese healthcare providers should consider using methotrexate therapy for appropriate cases and carefully choose the best treatment for each patient after discussing the treatment options with patients.

BACKGROUND: Methotrexate (MTX) is used in clinical practice as a medical treatment option in patients with early pregnancy complications like ectopic pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE: To review systemic MTX therapy use in the first trimester of pregnancy in our hospital and to examine subsequent clinical outcomes.
METHODS: Retrospective review of all women treated with systemic MTX in early pregnancy identified from electronic prescription records from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2020 at Cork University Maternity Hospital, Ireland. Relevant data was transcribed from electronic health records.
RESULTS: Indications for treatment were tubal ectopic pregnancy (70%, n = 51), persistent pregnancy of unknown location (22%, n = 16) and caesarean scar pregnancy (7%, n = 5). Treatment was successful in 88% (n = 44) of tubal ectopic pregnancies with 73% (n = 37) and 14% (n = 7) of women receiving a single dose and repeated doses, respectively. Only 8% (n = 4) of tubal ectopic pregnancies required emergency surgery for subsequent tubal rupture. In 93% (n = 15) of cases of persistent pregnancy of unknown location, treatment was successful with one patient requiring uterine evacuation. Women with caesarean scar pregnancy were treated with combined MTX and uterine evacuation without complication.
CONCLUSIONS: The efficacy of medical treatment with systemic MTX for confirmed tubal ectopic pregnancy in our hospital is in line with national and international standards. Careful consideration should be given to treating caesarean scar pregnancy and persistent pregnancy of unknown location with systemic MTX. Systemic MTX use guided by clinicians specialised in early pregnancy complications and safe medication practices may improve treatment success and reduce adverse events.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of two different regimens of Letrozole, an aromatase inhibitor, in the management of ectopic pregnancy compared to methotrexate.
METHODS: This randomized controlled trial was conducted on 88 women diagnosed with ectopic pregnancy with a baseline level of serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin under 3000 mIU/mL between June 30, 2023, and December 30, 2023, at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Vali-e-Asr Hospital affiliated with Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Participants were allocated into either methotrexate (n = 43), 5-day course Letrozole (n = 24), or 10-day course Letrozole (n = 21) treatments. The methotrexate group received a single dose of 50 mg/m2 dosage intramuscular methotrexate. The 5-day Letrozole group received a 2.5 mg Letrozole tablet three times daily for 5 days, whereas the 10-day Letrozole group received a 2.5 mg Letrozole tablet twice daily for 10 days. The primary outcome was the treatment response, defined as the achievement of a negative serum beta-human chorionic level without the need for additional methotrexate treatment or surgery. The secondary outcomes were the need for additional methotrexate dose or laparoscopic surgery intervention. The trial protocol was prospectively registered in ClinicalTrials.gov with code NCT05918718.
RESULTS: The treatment response rates in methotrexate, 5-day Letrozole, and 10-day Letrozole groups were 76.7 %, 75.0 %, and 90.5 %, respectively, with no significant differences between the groups (P-value = 0.358). A total of 10 (23.3 %) patients from the methotrexate group, 3 (12.5 %) from the 5-day Letrozole group, and 2 (9.5 %) from the 10-day Letrozole group required an additional methotrexate dose, with no significant differences between the groups (P-value = 0.307). Furthermore, only 3 (12.5 %) patients, all from the 5-day Letrozole group, were suspected of tubal rupture and underwent surgery (P-value = 0.016).
CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest Letrozole as a safe alternative to methotrexate in treating stable ectopic pregnancies, with a favorable treatment response rate. However, there is still a need for future larger studies to determine the applicability of Letrozole in the EP management. Also, the non-significant higher effectiveness of the 10-day Letrozole regimen than the 5-day Letrozole group underscores the need for future research to determine the optimal Letrozole regimen for the management of ectopic pregnancy.

Smoking during pregnancy is associated with negative reproductive outcome. Less is known about the impact of smoking or previous smoking in women with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) which this study aimed to investigate. We included all women <42 years (n=2829) referred to a RPL unit at Copenhagen University Hospital between January 2000 and December 2021 in the cohort with follow-up until June 2022. Patients were categorized as \'smokers at time of referral\', \'never-smokers\' or \'former smokers\'. The main outcomes were pregnancy history prior to referral, prospective pregnancy rate, live birth rate, rates of ectopic pregnancy, and stillbirth. At referral, smokers (n=373) were on average 2.0 years younger (P<0.001) and had experienced significantly more pregnancy losses (P<0.001), and stillbirths (P=0.01) compared to never-smokers (n=2100). Former smokers had a higher risk of stillbirth prior to referral compared to never-smokers but no differences in pregnancy rate or other outcomes. Prospective pregnancy rates were lower for smokers compared with never-smokers (71.8% vs. 77.5%, P=0.02). Live birth rate was 58.0% for the 243 women who smoked at referral compared to 61.4% for the 1488 never-smokers (P=0.32). Stillbirth and ectopic pregnancies were significantly more common for smokers (2.8% vs. 0.4%, P=0.01; 6.0% vs. 2.0%, P<0.008). Women with RPL who smoked at referral were referred younger with a higher number of previous pregnancy losses and stillbirths compared with never-smokers. Fewer smokers achieved a pregnancy after referral but those who did had a similar live birth rate compared to never-smokers, although stillbirths and ectopic pregnancies were more common.

UNASSIGNED: Ectopic pregnancy is a crucial problem in Gynaecology. Previous studies concerning the medical treatment of ectopic pregnancies, have used only β-hCG (beta- human chorionic gonadotropin) values, to monitor the successful response to treatment. The current study was a PhD (Doctorate of Philosophy) thesis research, which has evaluated the vascularity indices\' changes. The values of vascularity indices could be used, in combination with β-hCG values and the gestational sac dimensions, in every medically treated ectopic pregnancy. The results could be used, for monitoring the course of all medically treated ectopic pregnancies.
UNASSIGNED: 72 women of reproductive age have taken part in the study. They have been admitted due to secondary amenorrhea, positive β-hCG test, with or without vaginal bleeding. The participants took part voluntarily and were allocated in two groups. The first group consisted of 37 women, who were possible normal or threatened intrauterine pregnancies (control group). The second group consisted of 35 women, whose sonographic findings suggested ectopic pregnancy, and qualified for methotrexate treatment (study group). Sonographic control and measurement of the vascularity indices (PI - RI) (Pulsatility index - Resistance index) of the ectopic pregnancy was conducted, in combination with β-hCG values for every admitted or outpatient woman.The dimensions of the gestational sac of both groups were measured during four consecutive periods of time. The control group has shown progressively increasing sac dimensions, whereas, in the study group sac dimensions were more stable or growing gradually smaller. The exception where those ectopic pregnancies that ruptured, which have also shown a gradual enlargement of the sac.
UNASSIGNED: The endometrial thickness of the study group was gradually decreasing up to 76 % per day, and the more eminent, but not statistically significant decrease, was observed in the single dose regiment of methotrexate. Moreover, the quantitative PI and RI were evaluated, and the main finding was that there were no statistically significant decreases in any of the two groups. Concerning the study group, methotrexate treatment was successful, since there was a decrease of up to 80 %, whereas a clearly significant correlation was found between the β-hCG levels and the RI.
UNASSIGNED: The vascularity indices could be used safely, in combination with β-hCG levels and the decrease of the gestational sac dimensions, as criteria for the evaluation of response to medical treatment of ectopic pregnancies.

BACKGROUND: Ectopic pregnancies (EP) are a common pregnancy complication that\'s associated with significant morbidity and rarely mortality if not managed properly. Ultrasound examination forms the cornerstone of diagnosis of EP with some sonographic features occasionally not correlating with intraoperative findings. We set out to conduct an audit of EP managed surgically at our hospital for a 10-year period and discern the correlation and prediction of sonographic findings to intraoperative findings.
METHODS: This study was designed as a Retrospective Observational Study based at the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH). Study population was all women admitted to AKUH with a diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy that was surgically managed between the period of January 1st 2011 to December 31st 2020. Analysis of data was done against a pre-set checklist. Descriptive statistics for continuous variables was calculated and tabulated in graphs and tables. SPSS version 22 was used for analysis of data.
RESULTS: A total of 337 patients in this study had ultrasound findings. 99.7% (n = 336) of these patients had an intraoperatively confirmed EP. The commonest ultrasound finding was an adnexal mass in 97.1% (n = 309) of patients. These were confirmed surgically in 290 patients at the following locations: 76.6% (n = 222) were ampullary in location; 10.7% (n = 31) were fimbrial in location; 8.6%(n = 25) were isthmic in location; 2.4%(n = 7) were interstitial in location; 1%(n = 3) were abdominal in location; while 0.3% were located in the ovary(n = 1) or round ligament(n = 1) each. Interstitial EP on ultrasound were all (100%) confirmed in the same location intraoperatively, with ampullary EP also correlating fairly well with intraoperative location (75%). The distribution of location in the minor hemoperitoneum (HP) versus major HP groups were similar except for interstitial EP that increased from 1.4% in the minor HP group to 9.5% in the major HP group.
CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, ultrasonography still represents the best imaging modality for EP. The most common finding is usually an adnexal mass with no specific location. Most (99.7%) of the patients with this sonographic finding usually have a confirmed EP. Interstitial EP are the most well localized with ultrasound followed by ampullary EP. Furthermore, the presence of major (> 500mls) hemoperitoneum may act as an adjunct for diagnosis of an interstitial EP.

Recent studies propose fallopian tubes as the tissue origin for many ovarian epithelial cancers. To further support this paradigm, we assessed whether salpingectomy for treating ectopic pregnancy had a protective effect using the Taiwan Longitudinal National Health Research Database. We identified 316 882 women with surgical treatment for ectopic pregnancy and 3 168 820 age- and index-date-matched controls from 2000 to 2016. In a nested cohort, 91.5% of cases underwent unilateral salpingectomy, suggesting that most surgically managed patients have salpingectomy. Over a follow-up period of 17 years, the ovarian carcinoma incidence was 0.0069 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.0060 to 0.0079) and 0.0089 (95% CI = 0.0086 to 0.0092) in the ectopic pregnancy and the control groups, respectively (P < .001). After adjusting the events to per 100 person-years, the hazard ratio (HR) in the ectopic pregnancy group was 0.70 (95% CI = 0.61 to 0.80). The risk reduction occurred only in epithelial ovarian cancer (HR = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.63 to 0.86) and not in non-epithelial subtypes. These findings show a decrease in ovarian carcinoma incidence after salpingectomy for treating ectopic pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: The M6 prediction model stratifies the risk of development of ectopic pregnancy (EP) for women with pregnancy of unknown location (PUL) into low risk or high risk, using human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) and progesterone levels at the initial visit to a gynaecological emergency room and hCG level at 48 h. This study evaluated a second model, the M6NP model, which does not include the progesterone level at the initial visit. The main aim of this study was to validate the diagnostic accuracy of the M6NP model in a population of French women.
METHODS: Between January and December 2021, all women with an hCG measurement from the gynaecological emergency department of a teaching hospital were screened for inclusion in this study. Women with a pregnancy location determined before or at the second visit were excluded. The diagnostic test was based on logistic regression of the M6NP model, with classification into two groups: high risk of EP (≥5%) and low risk of EP (<5%). The reference test was the final outcome based on clinical, biological and sonographic results: failed PUL (FPUL), intrauterine pregnancy (IUP) or EP. Diagnostic performance for risk prediction of EP, and also IUP and FPUL, was calculated.
RESULTS: In total, 759 women with possible PUL were identified. After screening, 341 women with PUL were included in the main analysis. Of these, 186 (54.5%) were classified as low risk, including three (1.6%) with a final outcome of EP. The remaining 155 women with PUL were classified as high risk, of whom 60 (38.7%), 66 (42.8%) and 29 (18.7%) had a final outcome of FPUL, IUP and EP, respectively. Of the 32 women with PUL with a final outcome of EP, 29 (90.6%) were classified as high risk and three (9.4%) were classified as low risk. Therefore, the performance of the M6NP model to predict EP had a negative predictive value of 98.4%, a positive predictive value of 18.7%, sensitivity of 90.6% and specificity of 59.2%. If the prediction model had been used, it is estimated that 4.5 visits per patient could have been prevented.
CONCLUSIONS: The M6NP model could be used safely in the French population for risk stratification of PUL. Its use in clinical practice should result in a substantial reduction in the number of visits to a gynaecological emergency room.

UNASSIGNED: Ectopic pregnancy is a major contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality across the globe.
UNASSIGNED: This study aims to investigate the clinical benefits of laparoscopic surgery in treating ectopic pregnancy, and its impact on tubal patency and reproductive outcomes.
UNASSIGNED: A clinical study was conducted to compare laparoscopic and medical conservative treatment for ectopic pregnancy. A total of 206 patients were treated for ectopic pregnancy at our hospital from January 2018 to June 2020. Among them, 46 underwent laparoscopic ipsilateral salpingectomy, 54 underwent laparoscopic ipsilateral salpingostomy with lesion removal, and 106 were treated conservatively with medication.
UNASSIGNED: The age range and average age of each group are provided, with no significant differences in these general demographic characteristics (p> 0.05). Both the salpingostomy and medication groups had higher rates of ectopic pregnancy compared to the salpingectomy group, with statistically significant differences (p< 0.05). The comparison of ectopic pregnancy rates between the salpingostomy and medication groups showed no significant difference. Within three years, the salpingostomy group had 10 cases of recurrent ectopic pregnancy, with 2 cases on the same side, while the medication group had 18 cases, with 8 cases on the same side. At 3 months after the normalization of blood β-HCG, the salpingostomy group showed 43 cases of tubal patency (patency rate: 79.63%), while the medication group showed 57 cases (patency rate: 53.77%), with a statistically significant difference between the two groups (p= 0.01).
UNASSIGNED: Laparoscopic surgery for ectopic pregnancy offers significant clinical benefits over conservative medical treatment, including higher rates of tubal patency and improved reproductive outcomes. These findings support laparoscopic surgery as an effective approach for the management of ectopic pregnancy.