OBJECTIVE: Acknowledging the associated risk factors may have a positive impact on reducing the incidence of ectopic pregnancy (EP). In recent years, body mass index (BMI) has been mentioned in research. However, few studies are available and controversial on the relationship between EP and BMI.
METHODS: We retrospectively studied the EP women as a case group and the deliveries as a control group in the central hospital of Wuhan during 2017 ~ 2021. χ2 test of variables associated with ectopic pregnancy was performed to find differences. Univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyze the association of the variables of age, parity, history of induced abortion, history of ectopic pregnancy, history of spontaneous abortion, history of appendectomy surgery and BMI (< 18.5 kg/m2, 18.5 ~ 24.9 kg/m2, 25 kg/m2 ~ 29.9 kg/m2, ≥ 30 kg /m2) with EP.
RESULTS: They were 659 EP and 1460 deliveries. The variables of age, parity, history of induced abortion, history of ectopic pregnancy and BMI were different significantly(P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that the variables of age > 35 years old [(OR (Odds Ratio), 5.415; 95%CI (Confidence Interval), 4.006 ~ 7.320, P < 0.001], history of ectopic pregnancy (OR, 3.944; 95%CI, 2.405 ~ 6.467; P < 0.001), history of induced abortion(OR, 3.365; 95%CI, 2.724 ~ 4.158, P < 0.001) and low BMI (< 18.5 kg/m2) (OR, 1.929; 95%CI, 1.416 ~ 2.628, P < 0.001])increased the risk of EP.
CONCLUSIONS: The history of ectopic pregnancy, history of induced abortion and age > 35 years old were the risk factors with EP. In addition to these traditional factors, we found low BMI (< 18.5 kg/m2) with women may increase the risk to EP.

UNASSIGNED: For stable fallopian tube pregnancy (FTP), methotrexate (MTX) therapy is reported to be as effective as laparoscopy. However, some cases would need further treatment, e.g., another dose of MTX or laparoscopy. This study is to investigate the potential factors during the treatment of FTP that may facilitate the prediction of a successful outcome of MTX therapy.
UNASSIGNED: All FTP cases admitted to the International Peace Maternal and Child Health Hospital (IPMCH), Shanghai, China from January 2016 to December 2017 were reviewed. All patients received a single dose of 50 mg/m2 MTX prior to other treatment. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the correlation between clinical parameters and the success rate of MTX treatment.
UNASSIGNED: The success rate of single-dose MTX was 77.53%. The serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) level cut-off value was 452.64 IU/L, with a specificity of 76.7% and sensitivity of 43% [area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) 0.803; P<0.0001]. In addition, serum β-hCG levels and patient age correlated with the success rate of MTX treatment.
UNASSIGNED: Lower β-hCG levels led to successful MTX treatment for FTP, with a cutoff value of 452.64 IU/L. Younger patients were more sensitive to MTX treatment. These results may help clinicians when deciding the potential therapy for patients with tubal ectopic pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assay the clinical characteristics of persistent ectopic pregnancy (PEP) and its influence on ongoing pregnancy.
METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 2498 patients who received salpingostomies as primary management for ectopic pregnancies from January 2004 to December 2009, using medical records and telephone inquiries. Clinical characteristics of the 52 patients (2.08%) who were diagnosed with PEP after salpingostomy were compared with those who received satisfactory treatment. The odds ratios and 95% confidential intervals were calculated for each variable by univariate and (for significantly different factors) multivariate analysis.
RESULTS: Preoperatively, patients with PEP after salpingostomy significantly differed from the non-PEP patients in gestational age, mass size and pelvic adhesiolysis. Serum β-human chorionic gonadotropin levels in PEP patients were monitored after surgery, which had declined by 28.31% on postoperative day (POD) 4, 40.22% on POD 7, 51.46% on POD 10 and 53.43% on POD 21. Repeat ectopic pregnancy (REP) tended to occur more frequently in PEP patients (PEP: 5 cases, 10.20%; non-PEP: 4 cases, 2.80%; P = 0.034). Multivariate analysis showed that pelvic adhesions and PEP were the strongest independent predictors of REP.
CONCLUSIONS: Gestational age, mass size and pelvic adhesions were significantly correlated with PEP. PEP was an independent prognostic factor for REP. However, a multicenter study is needed to support and extend our findings.