Ectopic pregnancy incidence in the Republic of Korea in 2009-2015: A population-based cross-sectional study

Relationship Between Polycystic Ovarian Morphology and Ectopic Pregnancy

Background

The purpose of the current study was to investigate the presence of polycystic ovarian morphology (PCOM) in patients with ectopic pregnancy (EP) and to find out the value of sonographic appearance of ovaries on the earlier diagnosis of EP.

Methods

In the current case-control study, thirty five patients with EP were recruited to evaluate ovarian sonographic morphology whereas 35 gestational age-matched women with healthy intrauterine pregnancy (IUP) were the controls. After ovarian sonography, ultrasound images were analyzed offline for ovarian area, ovarian volume, follicle number per cross section, and follicle distribution pattern. A questionnaire about the presence of hirsutism and menstrual irregularity prepared as well. Student's t-test or Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare continuous variables between 2 groups and categorical data were evaluated by using Chi-square or Fisher's exact test, where appropriate. Multiple logistic regression was used to find out the risk factors for EP.

Results

Mean gravidity and parity were significantly higher in the EP group compared to IUP group (p<0.05). PCOM was found to be significantly higher in the study group (51.4% vs. 20%, p=0.006). Logistic regression analysis showed that multiparity (OR=8.635; 95% CI, 1.653-45.104) and PCOM image on ultrasound (OR=19.081; 95% CI, 1.139-319.560) were found to be significantly associated with EP.

Conclusion

PCOM is more prevalent among women diagnosed with EP. This study demonstrates that PCOM assessed by transvaginal ultrasound may reflect EP in women with EP suspicion and may therefore serve as a clinical marker to assess EP.