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Mu F, Huo H, Wang M, Liu L, Wang F. Intravenous immunoglobulin improves live birth rates in patients with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss. J Reprod Immunol 2024; 166:104322. [PMID: 39216166 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2024.104322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2024] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 08/24/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
This real-world study aimed to assess the clinical efficacy and safety of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in treating unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss (uRPL) patients. A total of 238 patients with uRPL were enrolled in this retrospective study. According to the treatment, patients were assigned into treatment group (n=184, receiving IVIG+low molecular weight heparin [LMWH]) and control group (n=54, only LMWH). The primary outcome was the live birth rates (LBR) after 24 weeks of gestation. In addition, we performed subgroup analyses to assess the LBR in uRPL patients with age (≥30 years or <30 years), body mass index (BMI, 18-24 kg/m2 or ≥24 kg/m2), number of previous pregnancy losses (2 or ≥3), gestational week of first medication, and IVIG medication regimen during pregnancy. The LBR showed a significant increase after IVIG treatment compared to the control group (77.7 % vs. 53.7 %, P=0.001). Multivariable logistic regression indicated that IVIG was associated with increased LBR (aOR=4.383, 95 %CI 2.024-9.489). Besides, we observed a significantly lower incidence of decreased platelet count (1.6 % vs. 7.4 %, P=0.049) in the treatment group. Subgroup analyses showed that IVIG treatment was associated with improved LBR in uRPL patients with age of <30 years (aOR=4.012, 95 %CI 1.428-11.266), previous pregnancy losses ≥3 times (aOR=17.327, 95 %CI 2.525-118.921), and BMI of 18-24 kg/m2 (aOR=8.914, 95 %CI 2.985-26.618). IVIG treatment significantly improves the LBR in uRPL patients. These findings from real-world data provide evidence for the safety and efficacy of IVIG as a viable treatment for uRPL patients in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangxiang Mu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou 730030, China
| | - Huyan Huo
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou 730030, China
| | - Mei Wang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou 730030, China
| | - Ling Liu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou 730030, China
| | - Fang Wang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou 730030, China.
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Mumusoglu S, Telek SB, Ata B. Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy in unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Fertil Steril 2024:S0015-0282(24)01957-5. [PMID: 39151684 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2024.08.326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2024] [Revised: 08/08/2024] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) to deselect aneuploid embryos in assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment cycles may hold promise by augmenting pregnancy rates per transfer and reducing pregnancy loss rates for patients with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). OBJECTIVE To explore effectiveness of PGT-A in managing unexplained RPL by evaluating several key aspects: the likelihood of live birth in a subsequent spontaneous pregnancy, whether women with unexplained RPL have a higher rate of aneuploidy, whether euploid blastocysts offer comparable live birth rate (LBR) in patients with unexplained RPL, whether the endometrium is less selective in unexplained RPL loss, and whether PGT-A increases the LBR or reduces pregnancy losses until delivery. DATA SOURCES PubMed and Cochrane Library databases were searched from inception until June 2024. STUDY SELECTION AND SYNTHESIS Studies involving patients with ≥2 unexplained RPL who underwent ART with or without PGT-A or expectant management were included. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome measure was the LBR. Secondary outcome measures were aneuploidy rate, clinical pregnancy rate, and clinical pregnancy loss rate. RESULTS Whether couples with unexplained RPL have higher embryo aneuploidy rates remains equivocal. Euploid blastocyst transfers yielded comparable clinical pregnancy loss rate (odds ratio [OR], 1.10; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.57-2.13) and LBR (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.74-1.44) in patients with and without unexplained RPL. Comprehensive chromosome analysis of products of conception shows similar aneuploidy rates between patients with and without RPL and does not support the less selective endometrium hypothesis. Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy decreased clinical pregnancy loss rate (OR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.27-0.67) and enhanced LBR per transfer (OR, 2.17; 95% CI, 1.77-2.65) and LBR per patient (OR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.18-2.91) in patients with unexplained RPL. CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE Current low-quality evidence suggests that PGT-A enhances LBR per transfer and per patient in unexplained RPL. Well-designed randomized controlled trials comparing ART with PGT-A vs. expectant management for unexplained RPL are warranted. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42021291546.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sezcan Mumusoglu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkiye; Anatolia IVF and Women Health Center, Ankara, Turkiye
| | - Savci Bekir Telek
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Baris Ata
- ART Fertility Clinics, Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Koc University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkiye.
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Liu X, Li W, Mol BW, Wen W, Wang T, Tian L, Li N, Sun T, Wang T, Zhou H, Zhang N, Qu P, Liu S, Shi J. Who may benefit from an increased gonadotropin dosing in predicted poor responders undergoing IVF/ICSI? A secondary analysis assessing treatment selection markers of a randomized trial. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2023; 291:76-81. [PMID: 37844507 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2023.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether we can identify patient characteristics that serve as treatment selection markers to distinguish which women with expected poor response benefit from increased dosing of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in terms of improving the cumulative live birth rate compared to standard FSH dosing and which women. STUDY DESIGN We performed a secondary analysis of an RCT performed between March 2019 and October 2021 comparing cumulative live birth after increased dosing (N = 328) who received 225 or 300 IU/day according to their antral follicle count (AFC) and standard dosing (N = 333) who received 150 IU/day of gonadotropin. RESULTS The MFPI analysis showed the benefit of the increased dosing of FSH on cumulative live birth starts to emerge when women were older than 30 years (women > 30 years: 46.5 % vs. 34.2 %; adjusted relative risk (aRR) 1.32, 95 % confidence interval (95 %CI) 1.05-1.66; women ≤ 30 years: 54.7 % vs. 58.6 %; aRR 0.91, 95 % CI 0.72-1.14; p for interaction 0.019). Only those who had AFC between 1 and 3 benefited from the increased FSH dose (AFC 1-3: 38.5 % vs. 6.5 %; aRR 5.88, 95 % CI 1.50-23.15; AFC 4-9: 50.3 % vs. 46.0 %; aRR 1.08, 95 % CI 0.92-1.27; p for interaction 0.023). Expected poor responders defined by the Bologna criteria and POSEIDON criteria did not significantly benefit from the increased dosing of FSH. CONCLUSIONS Women who are aged >30 years or have AFC 1-3 are likely to benefit from increased dosing of FSH by having a higher cumulative live birth rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xitong Liu
- The Assisted Reproduction Center, Northwest Women's and Children's Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Wentao Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Monash Medical Centre, Wellington Road, Clayton VIC 3800, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Ben W Mol
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Monash Medical Centre, Wellington Road, Clayton VIC 3800, Victoria, Australia; Aberdeen Centre for Women's Health Research, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK.
| | - Wen Wen
- The Assisted Reproduction Center, Northwest Women's and Children's Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Tao Wang
- The Assisted Reproduction Center, Northwest Women's and Children's Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Li Tian
- The Assisted Reproduction Center, Northwest Women's and Children's Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Na Li
- The Assisted Reproduction Center, Northwest Women's and Children's Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Ting Sun
- The Assisted Reproduction Center, Northwest Women's and Children's Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Ting Wang
- The Assisted Reproduction Center, Northwest Women's and Children's Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Hanying Zhou
- The Assisted Reproduction Center, Northwest Women's and Children's Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Na Zhang
- The Assisted Reproduction Center, Northwest Women's and Children's Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Pengfei Qu
- The Assisted Reproduction Center, Northwest Women's and Children's Hospital, Xi'an, China; Translational Medicine Center, Northwest Women's and Children's Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Siyu Liu
- The Assisted Reproduction Center, Northwest Women's and Children's Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Juanzi Shi
- The Assisted Reproduction Center, Northwest Women's and Children's Hospital, Xi'an, China.
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Gomaa IA, Sabry A, Allam ISED, Ashoush S, Reda A. Endometrial Progesterone and Estrogen Receptors in Relation to Hormonal Levels in Women with Unexplained Recurrent Miscarriage. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE GINECOLOGIA E OBSTETRÍCIA 2023; 45:e676-e682. [PMID: 38029769 PMCID: PMC10686759 DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1776030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Recurrent miscarriage has been linked to hormonal disturbance due to dysregulation of its receptors rather than to the availability of the hormone. We aimed to investigate endometrial expression of progesterone and estrogen receptors in relation to serum and endometrial hormonal levels in unexplained recurrent miscarriage. METHODS The present case control study included 20 cases with unexplained recurrent miscarriage and 20 parous women as controls. Ovulation was confirmed using an ovulation kit and 10 to 12 days after detecting the urinary luteinizing hormone surge, all women were subjected to a blood sample and to an endometrial biopsy. Progesterone and estrogen levels were measured in serum and in endometrial tissue and receptor concentrations were in the endometrial sample. RESULTS Women with recurrent miscarriage showed significantly lower concentration of receptors in both the cytoplasm and the nucleus of endometrial tissue compared with controls. The nuclear/cytoplasm ratio of progesterone receptor was significantly higher in cases compared with controls, implicating that recurrent miscarriage is probably linked to nongenomic activity of the hormone; this was also significant for estrogen receptor. Serum progesterone and estrogen hormonal levels were comparable between groups while both hormones were significantly reduced in the endometrium of recurrent miscarriage cases. Receptors significantly correlated with endometrial hormonal level but not to serum level. CONCLUSION Recurrent miscarriage might be linked to reduced endometrial progesterone and estrogen receptors and appears to be more related to nongenomic activity of progesterone. Endometrial receptors expression correlates to tissue hormonal level rather than to serum hormonal level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ihab Adel Gomaa
- Ain Shams University Maternity Hospital, Abbaseya Square, Cairo, Egypt.
| | - Ahmed Sabry
- Ain Shams University Maternity Hospital, Abbaseya Square, Cairo, Egypt.
| | | | | | - Ahmed Reda
- Ain Shams University Maternity Hospital, Abbaseya Square, Cairo, Egypt.
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Abstract
In this guideline, recurrent miscarriage has been defined as three or more first trimester miscarriages. However, clinicians are encouraged to use their clinical discretion to recommend extensive evaluation after two first trimester miscarriages, if there is a suspicion that the miscarriages are of pathological and not of sporadic nature. Women with recurrent miscarriage should be offered testing for acquired thrombophilia, particularly for lupus anticoagulant and anticardiolipin antibodies, prior to pregnancy. [Grade C] Women with second trimester miscarriage may be offered testing for Factor V Leiden, prothrombin gene mutation and protein S deficiency, ideally within a research context. [Grade C] Inherited thrombophilias have a weak association with recurrent miscarriage. Routine testing for protein C, antithrombin deficiency and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase mutation is not recommended. [Grade C] Cytogenetic analysis should be offered on pregnancy tissue of the third and subsequent miscarriage(s) and in any second trimester miscarriage. [Grade D] Parental peripheral blood karyotyping should be offered for couples in whom testing of pregnancy tissue reports an unbalanced structural chromosomal abnormality [Grade D] or there is unsuccessful or no pregnancy tissue available for testing. [GPP] Women with recurrent miscarriage should be offered assessment for congenital uterine anomalies, ideally with 3D ultrasound. [Grade B] Women with recurrent miscarriage should be offered thyroid function tests and assessment for thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies. [Grade C] Women with recurrent miscarriage should not be routinely offered immunological screening (such as HLA, cytokine and natural killer cell tests), infection screening or sperm DNA testing outside a research context. [Grade C] Women with recurrent miscarriage should be advised to maintain a BMI between 19 and 25 kg/m2 , smoking cessation, limit alcohol consumption and limit caffeine to less than 200 mg/day. [Grade D] For women diagnosed with antiphospholipid syndrome, aspirin and heparin should be offered from a positive test until at least 34 weeks of gestation, following discussion of potential benefits versus risks. [Grade B] Aspirin and/or heparin should not be given to women with unexplained recurrent miscarriage. [Grade B] There are currently insufficient data to support the routine use of PGT-A for couples with unexplained recurrent miscarriage, while the treatment may carry a significant cost and potential risk. [Grade C] Resection of a uterine septum should be considered for women with recurrent first or second trimester miscarriage, ideally within an appropriate audit or research context. [Grade C] Thyroxine supplementation is not routinely recommended for euthyroid women with TPO who have a history of miscarriage. [Grade A] Progestogen supplementation should be considered in women with recurrent miscarriage who present with bleeding in early pregnancy (for example 400 mg micronised vaginal progesterone twice daily at the time of bleeding until 16 weeks of gestation). [Grade B] Women with unexplained recurrent miscarriage should be offered supportive care, ideally in the setting of a dedicated recurrent miscarriage clinic. [Grade C].
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Béquet YLBN, Lashley EELO, Goddijn M, van der Hoorn MLP. The role of uterine natural killer cells in recurrent pregnancy loss and possible treatment options. Fertil Steril 2023; 120:945-947. [PMID: 37640099 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2023.08.949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
This narrative review summarizes the current knowledge on the role of uterine natural killer (uNK) cells in recurrent pregnancy loss and possible treatment options. Recurrent pregnancy loss involves 2 or more consecutive miscarriages, affecting around 3% of couples attempting conception. Despite extensive investigation, causes often remain elusive. Uterine natural killer cells, critical in early gestation and implantation, may hold answers for treatment options. Properly designed and powered clinical trials are needed to provide more answers on the effect of treatment options in relation to uNK cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mariette Goddijn
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Center Location AMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Fee N, McEvoy A, Cullen S, Doyle S, Crosby D, Allen C. Pregnancy outcomes following recurrent miscarriage. Ir J Med Sci 2023; 192:2255-2258. [PMID: 36757518 DOI: 10.1007/s11845-023-03305-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recurrent miscarriage affects 1-2% of the population, and the literature has focussed on causes, treatment, and live birth rate. AIM This study aimed to assess the reproductive outcomes for patients who attended a specialist recurrent miscarriage clinic for investigation and treatment. METHODS Prospective analysis of all patients who attended a recurrent miscarriage clinic from January 2014 to January 2021. RESULTS Of the 488 patients who attended a specialist clinic, 318 had a further pregnancy with 299 included in this study. The median age was 37 years, with 55.6% having a previous live birth. The subsequent live birth rate was 75.3%, 22.0% had a further pregnancy loss, 1.7% had an ongoing pregnancy, and 1% attended another institution after the second trimester. The rate of preeclampsia was 2.2%, pregnancy-induced hypertension was 2.2%, fetal growth restriction was 5.3%, preterm birth ≤ 34 weeks was 1.8%, and preterm birth > 34 weeks < 37 weeks was 6.6%. CONCLUSION Patients who attend a dedicated recurrent miscarriage clinic for investigation and treatment have a high live birth rate in a subsequent pregnancy. A subsequent pregnancy following recurrent pregnancy loss does not appear to be associated with an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niamh Fee
- National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
| | | | | | - Sam Doyle
- National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - David Crosby
- National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
- Merrion Fertility Clinic, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Cathy Allen
- National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
- Merrion Fertility Clinic, Dublin, Ireland
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Zaat TR, Kostova EB, Korsen P, Showell MG, Mol F, van Wely M. Obstetric and neonatal outcomes after natural versus artificial cycle frozen embryo transfer and the role of luteal phase support: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Hum Reprod Update 2023; 29:634-654. [PMID: 37172270 PMCID: PMC10477943 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmad011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The number of frozen embryo transfers (FET) has increased dramatically over the past decade. Based on current evidence, there is no difference in pregnancy rates when natural cycle FET (NC-FET) is compared to artificial cycle FET (AC-FET) in subfertile women. However, NC-FET seems to be associated with lower risk of adverse obstetric and neonatal outcomes compared with AC-FET cycles. Currently, there is no consensus about whether NC-FET needs to be combined with luteal phase support (LPS) or not. The question of how to prepare the endometrium for FET has now gained even more importance and taken the dimension of safety into account as it should not simply be reduced to the basic question of effectiveness. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE The objective of this project was to determine whether NC-FET, with or without LPS, decreases the risk of adverse obstetric and neonatal outcomes compared with AC-FET. SEARCH METHODS A systematic review and meta-analysis was carried out. A literature search was performed using the following databases: CINAHL, EMBASE, and MEDLINE from inception to 10 October 2022. Observational studies, including cohort studies, and registries comparing obstetric and neonatal outcomes between singleton pregnancies after NC-FET and those after AC-FET were sought. Risk of bias was assessed using the ROBINS-I tool. The quality of evidence was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach. We calculated pooled odds ratios (ORs), pooled risk differences (RDs), pooled adjusted ORs, and prevalence estimates with 95% CI using a random effect model, while heterogeneity was assessed by the I2. OUTCOMES The conducted search identified 2436 studies, 890 duplicates were removed and 1546 studies were screened. Thirty studies (NC-FET n = 56 445; AC-FET n = 57 231) were included, 19 of which used LPS in NC-FET. Birthweight was lower following NC-FET versus AC-FET (mean difference 26.35 g; 95% CI 11.61-41.08, I2 = 63%). Furthermore NC-FET compared to AC-FET resulted in a lower risk of large for gestational age (OR 0.88, 95% 0.83-0.94, I2 = 54%), macrosomia (OR 0.81; 95% CI 0.71-0.93, I2 = 68%), low birthweight (OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.77-0.85, I2 = 41%), early pregnancy loss (OR 0.73; 95% CI 0.61-0.86, I2 = 70%), preterm birth (OR 0.80; 95% CI 0.75-0.85, I2 = 20%), very preterm birth (OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.53-0.84, I2 = 0%), hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.50-0.65, I2 = 61%), pre-eclampsia (OR 0.50; 95% CI 0.42-0.60, I2 = 44%), placenta previa (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.73-0.97, I2 = 0%), and postpartum hemorrhage (OR 0.43; 95% CI 0.38-0.48, I2 = 53%). Stratified analyses on LPS use in NC-FET suggested that, compared to AC-FET, NC-FET with LPS decreased preterm birth risk, while NC-FET without LPS did not (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.70-0.81). LPS use did not modify the other outcomes. Heterogeneity varied from low to high, while quality of the evidence was very low to moderate. WIDER IMPLICATIONS This study confirms that NC-FET decreases the risk of adverse obstetric and neonatal outcomes compared with AC-FET. We estimate that for each adverse outcome, use of NC-FET may prevent 4 to 22 cases per 1000 women. Consequently, NC-FET should be the preferred treatment in women with ovulatory cycles undergoing FET. Based on very low quality of evidence, the risk of preterm birth be decreased when LPS is used in NC-FET compared to AC-FET. However, because of many uncertainties-the major being the debate about efficacy of the use of LPS-future research is needed on efficacy and safety of LPS and no recommendation can be made about the use of LPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- T R Zaat
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - E B Kostova
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - P Korsen
- University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - M G Showell
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - F Mol
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - M van Wely
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Góes L, Vilarino F, Oba E, Bondan E. Review of the literature on corpus luteum insufficiency in women (2015–2020) and in domestic animals (1980–2020). CLINICA E INVESTIGACION EN GINECOLOGIA Y OBSTETRICIA 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gine.2021.100724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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10
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A critical appraisal of safety data of dydrogesterone for the support of early pregnancy: a scoping review and meta-analysis. Reprod Biomed Online 2022; 45:365-373. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2022.03.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Daniels J, Dixon EF, Gill A, Bishop J, D'Amico M, Ahmed K, Dodds J, Tryposkiadis K, Wilks M, Millar M, Husain S, Gray J, Whiley A, Moore PV, Munetsi RL, Hemming K, Roberts T, Plumb J, Deeks J, Khan KS, Thangaratinam S. A rapid intrapartum test for group B Streptococcus to reduce antibiotic usage in mothers with risk factors: the GBS2 cluster RCT. Health Technol Assess 2022; 26:1-82. [PMID: 35195519 DOI: 10.3310/bicf1187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mother-to-baby transmission of group B Streptococcus (Streptococcus agalactiae) is the main cause of early-onset infection. OBJECTIVES We investigated if intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis directed by a rapid intrapartum test reduces maternal and neonatal antibiotic use, compared with usual care (i.e. risk factor-directed antibiotics), among women with risk factors for vertical group B Streptococcus transmission, and examined the accuracy and cost-effectiveness of the rapid test. DESIGN An unblinded cluster randomised controlled trial with a nested test accuracy study, an economic evaluation and a microbiology substudy. SETTING UK maternity units were randomised to either a strategy of rapid test or usual care. PARTICIPANTS Vaginal and rectal swabs were taken from women with risk factors for vertical group B Streptococcus transmission in established term labour. The accuracy of the GeneXpert® Dx IV GBS rapid testing system (Cepheid, Maurens-Scopont, France) was compared with the standard of selective enrichment culture in diagnosing maternal group B Streptococcus colonisation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Primary outcomes were rates of intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis administered to prevent early-onset group B Streptococcus infection and accuracy estimates of the rapid test. Secondary outcomes were maternal antibiotics for any indication, neonatal antibiotic exposure, maternal antibiotic duration, neonatal group B Streptococcus colonisation, maternal and neonatal antibiotic resistance, neonatal morbidity and mortality, and cost-effectiveness of the strategies. RESULTS Twenty-two maternity units were randomised and 20 were recruited. A total of 722 mothers (749 babies) participated in rapid test units and 906 mothers (951 babies) participated in usual-care units. There were no differences in the rates of intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis for preventing early-onset group B Streptococcus infection in the rapid test units (41%, 297/716) compared with the usual-care units (36%, 328/906) (risk ratio 1.16, 95% confidence interval 0.83 to 1.64). There were no differences between the groups in intrapartum antibiotic administration for any indication (risk ratio 0.99, 95% confidence interval 0.81 to 1.21). Babies born in the rapid test units were 29% less likely to receive antibiotics (risk ratio 0.71, 95% confidence interval 0.54 to 0.95) than those born in usual-care units. The sensitivity and specificity of the rapid test were 86% (95% confidence interval 81% to 91%) and 89% (95% confidence interval 85% to 92%), respectively. In 14% of women (99/710), the rapid test was invalid or the machine failed to provide a result. In the economic analysis, the rapid test was shown to be both less effective and more costly and, therefore, dominated by usual care. Sensitivity analysis indicated potential lower costs for the rapid test strategy when neonatal costs were included. No serious adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS The Group B Streptococcus 2 (GBS2) trial found no evidence that the rapid test reduces the rates of intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis administered to prevent early-onset group B Streptococcus infection. The rapid test has the potential to reduce neonatal exposure to antibiotics, but economically is dominated by usual care. The accuracy of the test is within acceptable limits. FUTURE WORK The role of routine testing for prevention of neonatal infection requires evaluation in a randomised controlled trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN74746075. FUNDING This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 26, No. 12. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Daniels
- Nottingham Clinical Trials Unit, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Emily F Dixon
- Institute of Applied Health Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Alicia Gill
- Institute of Applied Health Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Jon Bishop
- Institute of Applied Health Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Maria D'Amico
- Centre for Women's Health, Institute of Population Health Sciences, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Khaled Ahmed
- Institute of Applied Health Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Julie Dodds
- Centre for Women's Health, Institute of Population Health Sciences, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Kostas Tryposkiadis
- Institute of Applied Health Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Mark Wilks
- Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Michael Millar
- Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Shahid Husain
- Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Jim Gray
- Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Angela Whiley
- Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Patrick V Moore
- Institute of Applied Health Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Ruvimbo L Munetsi
- Institute of Applied Health Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Karla Hemming
- Institute of Applied Health Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Tracy Roberts
- Institute of Applied Health Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Jane Plumb
- Group B Strep Support, Haywards Heath, UK
| | - Jonathan Deeks
- Institute of Applied Health Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Khalid S Khan
- Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Shakila Thangaratinam
- Institute of Metabolism and System Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
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12
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Zhou H, Yang Y, Deng L, Yao Y, Liao X. A Potential Mechanism of Kidney-Tonifying Herbs Treating Unexplained Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion: Clinical Evidence From the Homogeneity of Embryo Implantation and Tumor Invasion. Front Pharmacol 2022; 12:775245. [PMID: 35153745 PMCID: PMC8826263 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.775245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Kidney-tonifying herbs (KTHs) are widely used to treat unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (URSA) based on the theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). However, there is still a lack of systematic evaluation and mechanistic explanation for these treatments. Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical efficacy, and to investigate the potential mechanisms, of KTH based on TCM for the treatment of URSA. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted within PubMed, Embase, China Biomedical Literature database, Web of Science (WOS), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) database, and the Wanfang database to find articles reporting on the Chinese herbal formula based around KTH for treating URSA, which were published between January 2010 and June 2021. A full bibliometric analysis was carried out; in addition, randomized controlled trial (RCT) articles were selected for systematic evaluation and meta-analysis. The drugs with the highest frequency of KTHs were screened for meta-analysis. Finally, network analysis and molecular docking were used to study the key components and potential pathway of KTHs in the treatment of URSA. Results: The meta-analysis included nine RCTs involving 1,054 subjects. Compared with the control groups, the clinical efficacy of TCM-based KTHs in the treatment of URSA patients significantly improved outcomes. Additionally, a component target pathway network was identified, which included 32 potential blood activating components and 113 main targets. Japonine, sopranol, lysine, and matrine were considered the most important bioactive molecules for KTHs. The key potential therapeutic pathway for URSA was a tumor-related signaling pathway. The target genes for URSA regulated by KTHs were highly similar to tumor biological processes such as the regulation of apoptotic signaling pathways, inflammatory responses, angiogenesis, and epithelial metabolic transition. Conclusion: KTH has great potential for treating URSA. Because the maintenance of pregnancy has a high similarity with tumor invasion, the research relating to tumor mechanisms should also be followed up as it may lead to new ideas and breakthroughs for research into URSA. At the same time, embryonic and decidual cells share a high degree of cellular heterogeneity and spatial structural complexity with tumor cells, and a single cell combined with spatial omics may be the best future approach for validating KTH mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hang Zhou
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.,Department of Gynecology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yi Yang
- Department of Gynecology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Linwen Deng
- Department of Gynecology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yongqing Yao
- Department of Gynecology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Xin Liao
- Department of Information, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
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13
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Räuber S, Pawlitzki M, Korsen M, Kullmann JS, Thoene D, Pfeuffer S, Rolfes L, Nelke C, Melzer N, Ruck T, Meuth SG, On behalf of the INFUSE-MS study group. A national, multi-center study in Germany to assess implementation of infusion management, treatment satisfaction and quality of life in MS patients receiving alemtuzumab. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2022; 59:103670. [DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2022.103670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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14
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Progesterone: A Unique Hormone with Immunomodulatory Roles in Pregnancy. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031333. [PMID: 35163255 PMCID: PMC8835837 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Progesterone is well known for its numerous endocrinologic roles in pregnancy but is also endowed with fascinating immunomodulatory capabilities. It can downregulate the induction of inflammatory reactions, the activation of immune cells and the production of cytokines, which are critical mediators of immune responses. These features appear to be critical to the success of pregnancy, given the ability of maternal immune reactivity to interfere with pregnancy and to contribute to several pregnancy complications. This review summarizes the contribution of maternal immune effectors in general, and cytokines in particular, to pregnancy complications such as recurrent miscarriage, pre-eclampsia and preterm labor; it describes the promise offered by supplementation with progesterone and the oral progestogen dydrogesterone, as well as the progesterone-induced blocking factor in the prevention and/or treatment of these serious complications.
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15
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Devall A, Chu J, Beeson L, Hardy P, Cheed V, Sun Y, Roberts T, Ogwulu CO, Williams E, Jones L, Papadopoulos JLF, Bender-Atik R, Brewin J, Hinshaw K, Choudhary M, Ahmed A, Naftalin J, Nunes N, Oliver A, Izzat F, Bhatia K, Hassan I, Jeve Y, Hamilton J, Deb S, Bottomley C, Ross J, Watkins L, Underwood M, Cheong Y, Kumar C, Gupta P, Small R, Pringle S, Hodge F, Shahid A, Gallos I, Horne A, Quenby S, Coomarasamy A. Mifepristone and misoprostol versus placebo and misoprostol for resolution of miscarriage in women diagnosed with missed miscarriage: the MifeMiso RCT. Health Technol Assess 2021; 25:1-114. [PMID: 34821547 DOI: 10.3310/hta25680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
TRIAL DESIGN A randomised, parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicentre study with health economic and nested qualitative studies to determine if mifepristone (Mifegyne®, Exelgyn, Paris, France) plus misoprostol is superior to misoprostol alone for the resolution of missed miscarriage. METHODS Women diagnosed with missed miscarriage in the first 14 weeks of pregnancy were randomly assigned (1 : 1 ratio) to receive 200 mg of oral mifepristone or matched placebo, followed by 800 μg of misoprostol 2 days later. A web-based randomisation system allocated the women to the two groups, with minimisation for age, body mass index, parity, gestational age, amount of bleeding and randomising centre. The primary outcome was failure to pass the gestational sac within 7 days after randomisation. The prespecified key secondary outcome was requirement for surgery to resolve the miscarriage. A within-trial cost-effectiveness study and a nested qualitative study were also conducted. Women who completed the trial protocol were purposively approached to take part in an interview to explore their satisfaction with and the acceptability of medical management of missed miscarriage. RESULTS A total of 711 women, from 28 hospitals in the UK, were randomised to receive either mifepristone plus misoprostol (357 women) or placebo plus misoprostol (354 women). The follow-up rate for the primary outcome was 98% (696 out of 711 women). The risk of failure to pass the gestational sac within 7 days was 17% (59 out of 348 women) in the mifepristone plus misoprostol group, compared with 24% (82 out of 348 women) in the placebo plus misoprostol group (risk ratio 0.73, 95% confidence interval 0.54 to 0.98; p = 0.04). Surgical intervention to resolve the miscarriage was needed in 17% (62 out of 355 women) in the mifepristone plus misoprostol group, compared with 25% (87 out of 353 women) in the placebo plus misoprostol group (risk ratio 0.70, 95% confidence interval 0.52 to 0.94; p = 0.02). There was no evidence of a difference in the incidence of adverse events between the two groups. A total of 42 women, 19 in the mifepristone plus misoprostol group and 23 in the placebo plus misoprostol group, took part in an interview. Women appeared to have a preference for active management of their miscarriage. Overall, when women experienced care that supported their psychological well-being throughout the care pathway, and information was delivered in a skilled and sensitive manner such that women felt informed and in control, they were more likely to express satisfaction with medical management. The use of mifepristone and misoprostol showed an absolute effect difference of 6.6% (95% confidence interval 0.7% to 12.5%). The average cost per woman was lower in the mifepristone plus misoprostol group, with a cost saving of £182 (95% confidence interval £26 to £338). Therefore, the use of mifepristone and misoprostol for the medical management of a missed miscarriage dominated the use of misoprostol alone. LIMITATIONS The results from this trial are not generalisable to women diagnosed with incomplete miscarriage and the study does not allow for a comparison with expectant or surgical management of miscarriage. FUTURE WORK Future work should use existing data to assess and rank the relative clinical effectiveness and safety profiles for all methods of management of miscarriage. CONCLUSIONS Our trial showed that pre-treatment with mifepristone followed by misoprostol resulted in a higher rate of resolution of missed miscarriage than misoprostol treatment alone. Women were largely satisfied with medical management of missed miscarriage and would choose it again. The mifepristone and misoprostol intervention was shown to be cost-effective in comparison to misoprostol alone. TRIAL REGISTRATION Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN17405024. FUNDING This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 25, No. 68. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Devall
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Justin Chu
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Leanne Beeson
- Institute of Applied Health Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Pollyanna Hardy
- National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit Clinical Trials Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Versha Cheed
- Institute of Applied Health Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Yongzhong Sun
- Institute of Applied Health Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Tracy Roberts
- Institute of Applied Health Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Chidubem Okeke Ogwulu
- Institute of Applied Health Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Eleanor Williams
- Institute of Applied Health Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Laura Jones
- Institute of Applied Health Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | | | | | | | - Kim Hinshaw
- Sunderland Royal Hospital, South Tyneside & Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, Sunderland, UK
| | - Meenakshi Choudhary
- Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Amna Ahmed
- Sunderland Royal Hospital, South Tyneside & Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, Sunderland, UK
| | - Joel Naftalin
- University College Hospital, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Natalie Nunes
- West Middlesex University Hospital, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Isleworth, UK
| | - Abigail Oliver
- St Michael's Hospital, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK
| | - Feras Izzat
- University Hospital Coventry, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, UK
| | - Kalsang Bhatia
- Burnley General Hospital, East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, Burnley, UK
| | - Ismail Hassan
- Birmingham Women's Hospital, Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Yadava Jeve
- Birmingham Women's Hospital, Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Judith Hamilton
- Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Shilpa Deb
- Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, UK
| | - Cecilia Bottomley
- Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Jackie Ross
- King's College Hospital, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Linda Watkins
- Liverpool Women's Hospital, Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | - Martyn Underwood
- Princess Royal Hospital, Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, Telford, UK
| | - Ying Cheong
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Chitra Kumar
- Glasgow Royal Infirmary, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Pratima Gupta
- Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Rachel Small
- Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Stewart Pringle
- Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Frances Hodge
- Singleton Hospital, Swansea Bay University Health Board, Swansea, UK
| | - Anupama Shahid
- Barts Health NHS Trust, Royal London Hospital, London, UK
| | - Ioannis Gallos
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Andrew Horne
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Siobhan Quenby
- Biomedical Research Unit in Reproductive Health, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Arri Coomarasamy
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
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16
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Tsonis O, Balogun S, Adjei JO, Mogekwu O, Iliodromiti S. Management of recurrent miscarriages: an overview of current evidence. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol 2021; 33:370-377. [PMID: 34419993 DOI: 10.1097/gco.0000000000000735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Recurrent miscarriage (RM) or recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is defined as the consecutive loss of two or more pregnancies before the age of viability. The exact prevalence of RM is unknown, but it has been reported between 1% and 2%. The objective of this review is to provide a critical summary of the latest evidence for the investigation and management of women with RM. RECENT FINDINGS RMs are associated with multiple factors including increased female age and lifestyle habits, as well as genetic factors, hereditary and acquired thrombophilia and infections. Metabolic and endocrine factors, in addition to anatomical causes such as uterine malformations have also been suggested as a causative factors of RM. SUMMARY The management of RM would be expected to cause specific, however, in the majority of the cases no cause is identified, and the factors associated with RM may not be causally related with the condition.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Stamatina Iliodromiti
- Bart's Health NHS Trust
- Centre for Women's Health, Institute of Population Health Sciences, Queen Mary University
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17
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Coomarasamy A, Harb HM, Devall AJ, Cheed V, Roberts TE, Goranitis I, Ogwulu CB, Williams HM, Gallos ID, Eapen A, Daniels JP, Ahmed A, Bender-Atik R, Bhatia K, Bottomley C, Brewin J, Choudhary M, Crosfill F, Deb S, Duncan WC, Ewer A, Hinshaw K, Holland T, Izzat F, Johns J, Lumsden MA, Manda P, Norman JE, Nunes N, Overton CE, Kriedt K, Quenby S, Rao S, Ross J, Shahid A, Underwood M, Vaithilingham N, Watkins L, Wykes C, Horne AW, Jurkovic D, Middleton LJ. Progesterone to prevent miscarriage in women with early pregnancy bleeding: the PRISM RCT. Health Technol Assess 2021; 24:1-70. [PMID: 32609084 DOI: 10.3310/hta24330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Progesterone is essential for a healthy pregnancy. Several small trials have suggested that progesterone therapy may rescue a pregnancy in women with early pregnancy bleeding, which is a symptom that is strongly associated with miscarriage. OBJECTIVES (1) To assess the effects of vaginal micronised progesterone in women with vaginal bleeding in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. (2) To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of progesterone in women with early pregnancy bleeding. DESIGN A multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised trial of progesterone in women with early pregnancy vaginal bleeding. SETTING A total of 48 hospitals in the UK. PARTICIPANTS Women aged 16-39 years with early pregnancy bleeding. INTERVENTIONS Women aged 16-39 years were randomly assigned to receive twice-daily vaginal suppositories containing either 400 mg of progesterone or a matched placebo from presentation to 16 weeks of gestation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome was live birth at ≥ 34 weeks. In addition, a within-trial cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted from an NHS and NHS/Personal Social Services perspective. RESULTS A total of 4153 women from 48 hospitals in the UK received either progesterone (n = 2079) or placebo (n = 2074). The follow-up rate for the primary outcome was 97.2% (4038 out of 4153 participants). The live birth rate was 75% (1513 out of 2025 participants) in the progesterone group and 72% (1459 out of 2013 participants) in the placebo group (relative rate 1.03, 95% confidence interval 1.00 to 1.07; p = 0.08). A significant subgroup effect (interaction test p = 0.007) was identified for prespecified subgroups by the number of previous miscarriages: none (74% in the progesterone group vs. 75% in the placebo group; relative rate 0.99, 95% confidence interval 0.95 to 1.04; p = 0.72); one or two (76% in the progesterone group vs. 72% in the placebo group; relative rate 1.05, 95% confidence interval 1.00 to 1.12; p = 0.07); and three or more (72% in the progesterone group vs. 57% in the placebo group; relative rate 1.28, 95% confidence interval 1.08 to 1.51; p = 0.004). A significant post hoc subgroup effect (interaction test p = 0.01) was identified in the subgroup of participants with early pregnancy bleeding and any number of previous miscarriage(s) (75% in the progesterone group vs. 70% in the placebo group; relative rate 1.09, 95% confidence interval 1.03 to 1.15; p = 0.003). There were no significant differences in the rate of adverse events between the groups. The results of the health economics analysis show that progesterone was more costly than placebo (£7655 vs. £7572), with a mean cost difference of £83 (adjusted mean difference £76, 95% confidence interval -£559 to £711) between the two arms. Thus, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of progesterone compared with placebo was estimated as £3305 per additional live birth at ≥ 34 weeks of gestation. CONCLUSIONS Progesterone therapy in the first trimester of pregnancy did not result in a significantly higher rate of live births among women with threatened miscarriage overall, but an important subgroup effect was identified. A conclusion on the cost-effectiveness of the PRISM trial would depend on the amount that society is willing to pay to increase the chances of an additional live birth at ≥ 34 weeks. For future work, we plan to conduct an individual participant data meta-analysis using all existing data sets. TRIAL REGISTRATION Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN14163439, EudraCT 2014-002348-42 and Integrated Research Application System (IRAS) 158326. FUNDING This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 24, No. 33. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arri Coomarasamy
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Hoda M Harb
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Adam J Devall
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Versha Cheed
- Institute of Applied Health Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Tracy E Roberts
- Institute of Applied Health Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Ilias Goranitis
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Chidubem B Ogwulu
- Institute of Applied Health Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Helen M Williams
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Ioannis D Gallos
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Abey Eapen
- Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa Health Care, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Jane P Daniels
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Amna Ahmed
- Sunderland Royal Hospital, City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, Sunderland, UK
| | | | - Kalsang Bhatia
- Burnley General Hospital, East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, Burnley, UK
| | - Cecilia Bottomley
- University College Hospital, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | | | - Meenakshi Choudhary
- Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Fiona Crosfill
- Royal Preston Hospital, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Preston, UK
| | - Shilpa Deb
- Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, UK
| | - W Colin Duncan
- Medical Research Council Centre for Reproductive Health, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Andrew Ewer
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Kim Hinshaw
- Sunderland Royal Hospital, City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, Sunderland, UK
| | - Thomas Holland
- St Thomas' Hospital, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Feras Izzat
- University Hospital Coventry, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, UK
| | - Jemma Johns
- King's College Hospital, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Mary-Ann Lumsden
- Reproductive & Maternal Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Padma Manda
- The James Cook University Hospital, South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Middlesbrough, UK
| | - Jane E Norman
- Medical Research Council Centre for Reproductive Health, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Natalie Nunes
- West Middlesex University Hospital, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Isleworth, UK
| | - Caroline E Overton
- St Michael's Hospital, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK
| | - Kathiuska Kriedt
- University College Hospital, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Siobhan Quenby
- Biomedical Research Unit in Reproductive Health, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Sandhya Rao
- Whiston Hospital, St Helen's and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Prescot, UK
| | - Jackie Ross
- King's College Hospital, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Anupama Shahid
- Whipps Cross Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Martyn Underwood
- Princess Royal Hospital, Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, Telford, UK
| | | | - Linda Watkins
- Liverpool Women's Hospital, Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | - Catherine Wykes
- East Surrey Hospital, Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, Redhill, UK
| | - Andrew W Horne
- Medical Research Council Centre for Reproductive Health, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Davor Jurkovic
- University College Hospital, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Lee J Middleton
- Institute of Applied Health Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
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18
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Quenby S, Gallos ID, Dhillon-Smith RK, Podesek M, Stephenson MD, Fisher J, Brosens JJ, Brewin J, Ramhorst R, Lucas ES, McCoy RC, Anderson R, Daher S, Regan L, Al-Memar M, Bourne T, MacIntyre DA, Rai R, Christiansen OB, Sugiura-Ogasawara M, Odendaal J, Devall AJ, Bennett PR, Petrou S, Coomarasamy A. Miscarriage matters: the epidemiological, physical, psychological, and economic costs of early pregnancy loss. Lancet 2021; 397:1658-1667. [PMID: 33915094 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(21)00682-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 495] [Impact Index Per Article: 165.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Miscarriage is generally defined as the loss of a pregnancy before viability. An estimated 23 million miscarriages occur every year worldwide, translating to 44 pregnancy losses each minute. The pooled risk of miscarriage is 15·3% (95% CI 12·5-18·7%) of all recognised pregnancies. The population prevalence of women who have had one miscarriage is 10·8% (10·3-11·4%), two miscarriages is 1·9% (1·8-2·1%), and three or more miscarriages is 0·7% (0·5-0·8%). Risk factors for miscarriage include very young or older female age (younger than 20 years and older than 35 years), older male age (older than 40 years), very low or very high body-mass index, Black ethnicity, previous miscarriages, smoking, alcohol, stress, working night shifts, air pollution, and exposure to pesticides. The consequences of miscarriage are both physical, such as bleeding or infection, and psychological. Psychological consequences include increases in the risk of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and suicide. Miscarriage, and especially recurrent miscarriage, is also a sentinel risk marker for obstetric complications, including preterm birth, fetal growth restriction, placental abruption, and stillbirth in future pregnancies, and a predictor of longer-term health problems, such as cardiovascular disease and venous thromboembolism. The costs of miscarriage affect individuals, health-care systems, and society. The short-term national economic cost of miscarriage is estimated to be £471 million per year in the UK. As recurrent miscarriage is a sentinel marker for various obstetric risks in future pregnancies, women should receive care in preconception and obstetric clinics specialising in patients at high risk. As psychological morbidity is common after pregnancy loss, effective screening instruments and treatment options for mental health consequences of miscarriage need to be available. We recommend that miscarriage data are gathered and reported to facilitate comparison of rates among countries, to accelerate research, and to improve patient care and policy development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siobhan Quenby
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Warwick, UK; Tommy's National Centre for Miscarriage Research, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, UK.
| | - Ioannis D Gallos
- Tommy's National Centre for Miscarriage Research, Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Rima K Dhillon-Smith
- Tommy's National Centre for Miscarriage Research, Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Marcelina Podesek
- Tommy's National Centre for Miscarriage Research, Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Mary D Stephenson
- University of Illinois Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Program, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Joanne Fisher
- Warwick Clinical Trials Unit, University of Warwick, Warwick, UK
| | - Jan J Brosens
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Warwick, UK; Tommy's National Centre for Miscarriage Research, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, UK
| | - Jane Brewin
- Tommy's Charity, Laurence Pountney Hill, London, UK
| | - Rosanna Ramhorst
- CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales IQUIBICEN, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Emma S Lucas
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Warwick, UK; Tommy's National Centre for Miscarriage Research, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, UK
| | - Rajiv C McCoy
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Robert Anderson
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Shahd Daher
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Lesley Regan
- Tommy's National Centre for Miscarriage Research, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Maya Al-Memar
- Tommy's National Centre for Miscarriage Research, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Tom Bourne
- Tommy's National Centre for Miscarriage Research, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - David A MacIntyre
- Tommy's National Centre for Miscarriage Research, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Raj Rai
- Tommy's National Centre for Miscarriage Research, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Ole B Christiansen
- Centre for Recurrent Pregnancy Loss of Western Denmark, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Mayumi Sugiura-Ogasawara
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Joshua Odendaal
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Warwick, UK; Tommy's National Centre for Miscarriage Research, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, UK
| | - Adam J Devall
- Tommy's National Centre for Miscarriage Research, Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | | | - Stavros Petrou
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Arri Coomarasamy
- Tommy's National Centre for Miscarriage Research, Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
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Devall AJ, Papadopoulou A, Podesek M, Haas DM, Price MJ, Coomarasamy A, Gallos ID. Progestogens for preventing miscarriage: a network meta-analysis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2021; 4:CD013792. [PMID: 33872382 PMCID: PMC8406671 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd013792.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Miscarriage, defined as the spontaneous loss of a pregnancy before 24 weeks' gestation, is common with approximately 25% of women experiencing a miscarriage in their lifetime, and 15% to 20% of pregnancies ending in a miscarriage. Progesterone has an important role in maintaining a pregnancy, and supplementation with different progestogens in early pregnancy has been attempted to rescue a pregnancy in women with early pregnancy bleeding (threatened miscarriage), and to prevent miscarriages in asymptomatic women who have a history of three or more previous miscarriages (recurrent miscarriage). OBJECTIVES To estimate the relative effectiveness and safety profiles for the different progestogen treatments for threatened and recurrent miscarriage, and provide rankings of the available treatments according to their effectiveness, safety, and side-effect profile. SEARCH METHODS We searched the following databases up to 15 December 2020: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Ovid MEDLINE(R), ClinicalTrials.gov and the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP), and reference lists of retrieved studies. SELECTION CRITERIA We included all randomised controlled trials assessing the effectiveness or safety of progestogen treatment for the prevention of miscarriage. Cluster-randomised trials were eligible for inclusion. Randomised trials published only as abstracts were eligible if sufficient information could be retrieved. We excluded quasi- and non-randomised trials. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS At least two review authors independently assessed the trials for inclusion and risk of bias, extracted data and checked them for accuracy. We performed pairwise meta-analyses and indirect comparisons, where possible, to determine the relative effects of all available treatments, but due to the limited number of included studies only direct or indirect comparisons were possible. We estimated the relative effects for the primary outcome of live birth and the secondary outcomes including miscarriage (< 24 weeks of gestation), preterm birth (< 37 weeks of gestation), stillbirth, ectopic pregnancy, congenital abnormalities, and adverse drug events. Relative effects for all outcomes are reported separately by the type of miscarriage (threatened and recurrent miscarriage). We used the GRADE approach to assess the certainty of evidence. MAIN RESULTS Our meta-analysis included seven randomised trials involving 5,682 women, and all provided data for meta-analysis. All trials were conducted in hospital settings. Across seven trials (14 treatment arms), the following treatments were used: three arms (21%) used vaginal micronized progesterone; three arms (21%) used dydrogesterone; one arm (7%) used oral micronized progesterone; one arm (7%) used 17-α-hydroxyprogesterone, and six arms (43%) used placebo. Women with threatened miscarriage Based on the relative effects from the pairwise meta-analysis, vaginal micronized progesterone (two trials, 4090 women, risk ratio (RR) 1.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.00 to 1.07, high-certainty evidence), and dydrogesterone (one trial, 406 women, RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.89 to 1.07, moderate-certainty evidence) probably make little or no difference to the live birth rate when compared with placebo for women with threatened miscarriage. No data are available to assess the effectiveness of 17-α-hydroxyprogesterone or oral micronized progesterone for the outcome of live birth in women with threatened miscarriage. The pre-specified subgroup analysis by number of previous miscarriages is only possible for vaginal micronized progesterone in women with threatened miscarriage. In women with no previous miscarriages and early pregnancy bleeding, there is probably little or no improvement in the live birth rate (RR 0.99, 95% CI 0.95 to 1.04, high-certainty evidence) when treated with vaginal micronized progesterone compared to placebo. However, for women with one or more previous miscarriages and early pregnancy bleeding, vaginal micronized progesterone increases the live birth rate compared to placebo (RR 1.08, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.15, high-certainty evidence). Women with recurrent miscarriage Based on the results from one trial (826 women) vaginal micronized progesterone (RR 1.04, 95% CI 0.95 to 1.15, high-certainty evidence) probably makes little or no difference to the live birth rate when compared with placebo for women with recurrent miscarriage. The evidence for dydrogesterone compared with placebo for women with recurrent miscarriage is of very low-certainty evidence, therefore the effects remain unclear. No data are available to assess the effectiveness of 17-α-hydroxyprogesterone or oral micronized progesterone for the outcome of live birth in women with recurrent miscarriage. Additional outcomes All progestogen treatments have a wide range of effects on the other pre-specified outcomes (miscarriage (< 24 weeks of gestation), preterm birth (< 37 weeks of gestation), stillbirth, ectopic pregnancy) in comparison to placebo for both threatened and recurrent miscarriage. Moderate- and low-certainty evidence with a wide range of effects suggests that there is probably no difference in congenital abnormalities and adverse drug events with vaginal micronized progesterone for threatened (congenital abnormalities RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.68 to 1.46, moderate-certainty evidence; adverse drug events RR 1.07 95% CI 0.81 to 1.39, moderate-certainty evidence) or recurrent miscarriage (congenital abnormalities 0.75, 95% CI 0.31 to 1.85, low-certainty evidence; adverse drug events RR 1.46, 95% CI 0.93 to 2.29, moderate-certainty evidence) compared with placebo. There are limited data and very low-certainty evidence on congenital abnormalities and adverse drug events for the other progestogens. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS The overall available evidence suggests that progestogens probably make little or no difference to live birth rate for women with threatened or recurrent miscarriage. However, vaginal micronized progesterone may increase the live birth rate for women with a history of one or more previous miscarriages and early pregnancy bleeding, with likely no difference in adverse events. There is still uncertainty over the effectiveness and safety of alternative progestogen treatments for threatened and recurrent miscarriage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam J Devall
- Tommy's National Centre for Miscarriage Research, Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research (IMSR), WHO Collaborating Centre for Global Women's Health Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Argyro Papadopoulou
- Tommy's National Centre for Miscarriage Research, Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research (IMSR), WHO Collaborating Centre for Global Women's Health Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Marcelina Podesek
- Tommy's National Centre for Miscarriage Research, Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research (IMSR), WHO Collaborating Centre for Global Women's Health Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - David M Haas
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Malcolm J Price
- Test Evaluation Research Group, Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Arri Coomarasamy
- Tommy's National Centre for Miscarriage Research, Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research (IMSR), WHO Collaborating Centre for Global Women's Health Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Ioannis D Gallos
- Tommy's National Centre for Miscarriage Research, Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research (IMSR), WHO Collaborating Centre for Global Women's Health Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
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20
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Characterization of Copy-Number Variations and Possible Candidate Genes in Recurrent Pregnancy Losses. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12020141. [PMID: 33499090 PMCID: PMC7911754 DOI: 10.3390/genes12020141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 01/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
It is well established that embryonic chromosomal abnormalities (both in the number of chromosomes and the structure) account for 50% of early pregnancy losses. However, little is known regarding the potential differences in the incidence and distribution of chromosomal abnormalities between patients with sporadic abortion (SA) and recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), let alone the role of submicroscopic copy-number variations (CNVs) in these cases. The aim of the present study was to systematically evaluate the role of embryonic chromosomal abnormalities and CNVs in the etiology of RPL compared with SA. Over a 3-year period, 1556 fresh products of conception (POCs) from miscarriage specimens were investigated using single nucleotide polymorphism array (SNP-array) and CNV sequencing (CNV-seq) in this study, along with further functional enrichment analysis. Chromosomal abnormalities were identified in 57.52% (895/1556) of all cases. Comparisons of the incidence and distributions of chromosomal abnormalities within the SA group and RPL group and within the different age groups were performed. Moreover, 346 CNVs in 173 cases were identified, including 272 duplications, 2 deletions and 72 duplications along with deletions. Duplications in 16q24.3 and 16p13.3 were significantly more frequent in RPL cases, and thereby considered to be associated with RPL. There were 213 genes and 131 signaling pathways identified as potential RPL candidate genes and signaling pathways, respectively, which were centered primarily on six functional categories. The results of the present study may improve our understanding of the etiologies of RPL and assist in the establishment of a population-based diagnostic panel of genetic markers for screening RPL amongst Chinese women.
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21
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Wang S, Li M, Sun F, Chen C, Ye J, Li D, Qian J, Du M. Th17/Treg-cell balance in the peripheral blood of pregnant females with a history of recurrent spontaneous abortion receiving progesterone or cyclosporine A. Exp Ther Med 2020; 21:37. [PMID: 33273967 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2020.9469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A successful pregnancy requires the maternal immune system to accept a fetus expressing allogeneic paternal antigens and provide competent responses to infections. Accordingly, maternal-fetal immune abnormalities may have an important role in the development of recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA). Ever since the establishment of the association between immunologic abnormalities and RSA, various types of immune therapy to restore normal immune homeostasis have been increasingly developed. Although previous studies have focused on the maternal-fetal interface, non-invasive examination is of great importance in clinical practice. The present study investigated the balance between type-17 T-helper (Th17) and T-regulatory (Treg) cells in the peripheral blood to improve the current understanding of the pathogenesis of RSA. Imbalances in Th17/Treg cells and associated molecular profiles were observed in patients with RSA. Furthermore, it was determined that the immunosuppressant cyclosporine A reduced the proportion of Th17 cells and promoted Treg-cell dominance by upregulating the expression of co-inhibitory molecules in pregnant females with a history of RSA. Progesterone, the traditional maternal-care drug, also had a certain immunomodulatory role through restoring the levels of several co-inhibitory molecules (including T-cell immunoglobulin mucin family member-3, programmed cell death-1 and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated protein-4) in the treatment of RSA. Changes in these immune molecules within the maternal peripheral blood may be indicators for monitoring pregnancy and prediction of RSA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songcun Wang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai 200080, P.R. China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai 200080, P.R. China
| | - Mengdie Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai 200080, P.R. China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai 200080, P.R. China
| | - Fengrun Sun
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai 200080, P.R. China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai 200080, P.R. China
| | - Chunqin Chen
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai 200080, P.R. China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai 200080, P.R. China
| | - Jiangfeng Ye
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai 200080, P.R. China
| | - Dajin Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai 200080, P.R. China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai 200080, P.R. China
| | - Jinfeng Qian
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai 200080, P.R. China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai 200080, P.R. China
| | - Meirong Du
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai 200080, P.R. China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai 200080, P.R. China
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22
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Relph S, Delaney L, Melaugh A, Vieira MC, Sandall J, Khalil A, Pasupathy D, Healey A. Costing the impact of interventions during pregnancy in the UK: a systematic review of economic evaluations. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e040022. [PMID: 33127635 PMCID: PMC7604861 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-040022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this review was to summarise the current evidence on the costing of resource use within UK maternity care, in order to facilitate the estimation of incremental resource and cost impacts potentially attributable to maternity care interventions. METHODS A systematic review of economic evaluations was conducted by searching Medline, the Health Management Information Consortium, the National Health Service (NHS) Economic Evaluations Database, CINAHL and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines for economic evaluations within UK maternity care, published between January 2010 and August 2019 in the English language. Unit costs for healthcare activities provided to women within the antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal period were inflated to 2018-2019 prices. Assessment of study quality was performed using the Quality of Health Economic Analyses checklist. RESULTS Of 5084 titles or full texts screened, 37 papers were included in the final review (27 primary research articles, 7 review articles and 3 economic evaluations from NICE guidelines). Of the 27 primary research articles, 21 were scored as high quality, 3 as medium quality and 3 were low quality. Variation was noted in cost estimates for healthcare activities throughout the maternity care pathway: for midwife-led outpatient appointment, the range was £27.34-£146.25 (mean £81.78), emergency caesarean section, range was £1056.44-£4982.21 (mean £3508.93) and postnatal admission, range was £103.00-£870.10 per day (mean £469.55). CONCLUSIONS Wide variation exists in costs applied to maternity healthcare activities, resulting in challenges in attributing cost to maternity activities. The level of variation in cost calculations is likely to reflect the uncertainty within the system and must be dealt with by conducting sensitivity analyses. Nationally agreed prices for granular unit costs are needed to standardise cost-effectiveness evaluations of new interventions within maternity care, to be used either for research purposes or decisions regarding national intervention uptake. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42019145309.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Relph
- Department of Women and Children's Health, King's College London, St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK
| | - Louisa Delaney
- Department of Women and Children's Health, King's College London, St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK
| | - Alexandra Melaugh
- Health Improvement: Alcohol, Drugs, Tobacco and Justice Division, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - Matias C Vieira
- Department of Women and Children's Health, King's College London, St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Jane Sandall
- Department of Women and Children's Health, King's College London, St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK
| | - Asma Khalil
- Fetal Medicine Unit, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Molecular & Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St George's, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London, UK
| | - Dharmintra Pasupathy
- Department of Women and Children's Health, King's College London, St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK
- Discipline of Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Neonatology, Westmead Clinical School, Faculty of Medicineand Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Andy Healey
- Health Service and Population Research, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, London, UK
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23
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Manning R, Iyer J, Bulmer JN, Maheshwari A, Choudhary M. Are we managing women with Recurrent Miscarriage appropriately? A snapshot survey of clinical practice within the United Kingdom. J OBSTET GYNAECOL 2020; 41:807-814. [DOI: 10.1080/01443615.2020.1803241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rashmi Manning
- Newcastle Fertility Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Janani Iyer
- Newcastle Fertility Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Judith N Bulmer
- Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Abha Maheshwari
- Aberdeen Fertility Centre, Aberdeen Royal Hospitals NHS Trust, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Meenakshi Choudhary
- Newcastle Fertility Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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24
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Rahnama R, Rafiee M, Fouladi S, Akbari-Fakhrabadi M, Mehrabian F, Rezaei A. Gene expression analysis of membrane progesterone receptors in women with recurrent spontaneous abortion: a case control study. BMC Res Notes 2019; 12:790. [PMID: 31801604 PMCID: PMC6894300 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-019-4787-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) is a condition which is defined as three consecutive pregnancy losses prior to 20 weeks from the last menstrual period. Progesterone is a steroid hormone that has an essential role in the implantation and maintenance of pregnancy. The progesterone signaling is performed by nuclear progesterone receptors (NPRs) and membrane progesterone receptors (mPR). The aim of this study was to analyze gene expression of mPR-α, mPR-β and NPR in the endometrium of patients with a history of RSA compared to normal fertile women. Results In this study, endometrial samples were obtained from 10 women with a history of RSA and 10 fertile women during days 10–14 of menstrual cycle. Relative expression of mPR-α, mPR-β and NPR genes were studied by a quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and compared between the two groups. The mean relative expression of mPR-β gene was significantly lower in the case group compared to the fertile women (p < 0.05). However, the gene expression of mPR-α and NPR showed no significant difference between two groups. The findings suggest a reduction of endometrial gene expression of mPR-β in RSA patients may play an important role in pathogenesis of RSA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reyhane Rahnama
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mitra Rafiee
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Saloomeh Fouladi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Maryam Akbari-Fakhrabadi
- Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ferdos Mehrabian
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Al-Zahra Hospital, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Abbas Rezaei
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
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25
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Haas DM, Hathaway TJ, Ramsey PS. Progestogen for preventing miscarriage in women with recurrent miscarriage of unclear etiology. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2019; 2019:CD003511. [PMID: 31745982 PMCID: PMC6953238 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd003511.pub5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Progesterone, a female sex hormone, is known to induce secretory changes in the lining of the uterus essential for successful implantation of a fertilized egg. It has been suggested that a causative factor in many cases of miscarriage may be inadequate secretion of progesterone. Therefore, clinicians use progestogens (drugs that interact with the progesterone receptors), beginning in the first trimester of pregnancy, in an attempt to prevent spontaneous miscarriage. This is an update of a review, last published in 2013. Since publication of the 2018 update of this review, we have been advised that the Ismail 2017 study is currently the subject of an investigation by the Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine. We have now moved this study from 'included studies' to 'Characteristics of studies awaiting classification' until the outcome of the investigation is known. OBJECTIVES To assess the efficacy and safety of progestogens as a preventative therapy against recurrent miscarriage. SEARCH METHODS For this update, we searched Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth's Trials Register, ClinicalTrials.gov, the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) (6 July 2017) and reference lists from relevant articles, attempting to contact trial authors where necessary, and contacted experts in the field for unpublished works. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomized or quasi-randomized controlled trials comparing progestogens with placebo or no treatment given in an effort to prevent miscarriage. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently assessed trials for inclusion and risk of bias, extracted data and checked them for accuracy. Two reviewers assessed the quality of the evidence using the GRADE approach. MAIN RESULTS Twelve trials (1,856 women) met the inclusion criteria. Eight of the included trials compared treatment with placebo and the remaining four trials compared progestogen administration with no treatment. The trials were a mix of multicenter and single-center trials, conducted in India, Jordan, UK and USA. In five trials women had had three or more consecutive miscarriages and in seven trials women had suffered two or more consecutive miscarriages. Routes, dosage and duration of progestogen treatment varied across the trials. The majority of trials were at low risk of bias for most domains. Ten trials (1684 women) contributed data to the analyses. The meta-analysis of all women, suggests that there may be a reduction in the number of miscarriages for women given progestogen supplementation compared to placebo/controls (average risk ratio (RR) 0.73, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.54 to 1.00, 10 trials, 1684 women, moderate-quality evidence). A subgroup analysis comparing placebo-controlled versus non-placebo-controlled trials, trials of women with three or more prior miscarriages compared to women with two or more miscarriages and different routes of administration showed no clear differences between subgroups for miscarriage. None of the trials reported on any secondary maternal outcomes, including severity of morning sickness, thromboembolic events, depression, admission to a special care unit, or subsequent fertility. There was probably a slight benefit for women receiving progestogen seen in the outcome of live birth rate (RR 1.07, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.13, 6 trials, 1411 women, moderate-quality evidence). We are uncertain about the effect on the rate of preterm birth because the evidence is very low-quality (RR 1.13, 95% CI 0.53 to 2.41, 4 trials, 256 women, very low-quality evidence). No clear differences were seen for women receiving progestogen for the other secondary outcomes including neonatal death, fetal genital abnormalities or stillbirth. There may be little or no difference in the rate of low birthweight and trials did not report on the secondary child outcomes of teratogenic effects or admission to a special care unit. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS For women with unexplained recurrent miscarriages, supplementation with progestogen therapy may reduce the rate of miscarriage in subsequent pregnancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M Haas
- Indiana University School of MedicineDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology1001 West 10th Street, F‐5IndianapolisIndianaUSA46202
| | - Taylor J Hathaway
- Indiana University School of MedicineDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology1001 West 10th Street, F‐5IndianapolisIndianaUSA46202
| | - Patrick S Ramsey
- Uniformed Services University of Health SciencesDivision of Maternal‐Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyBethesdaMDUSA
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26
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Arab H, Alharbi AJ, Oraif A, Sagr E, Al Madani H, Abduljabbar H, Bajouh OS, Faden Y, Sabr Y. The Role Of Progestogens In Threatened And Idiopathic Recurrent Miscarriage. Int J Womens Health 2019; 11:589-596. [PMID: 31807086 PMCID: PMC6848983 DOI: 10.2147/ijwh.s224159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
It is well known that progesterone plays a major role in the maintenance of pregnancy, particularly during the early stages, as it is responsible for preparing the endometrium for implantation and maintenance of the gestational sac. The management of pregnant women at risk of a threatened or idiopathic recurrent miscarriage is complex and critical. Therefore, a group of obstetricians and gynecologists practicing in Saudi Arabia gathered to update the 2014 Saudi guidelines for threatened and recurrent miscarriage management. In preparation, a literature review was conducted to explore the role of oral, vaginal, and injectable progestogens: this was used as a basis to develop position statements to guide and standardize practice across Saudi Arabia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hisham Arab
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Dr. Arab Medical Center, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed Jaber Alharbi
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Ibinsina Medical Private College, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ayman Oraif
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Emad Sagr
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, The International Medical Center, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hana Al Madani
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Maternity Hospital - King Saud Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hassan Abduljabbar
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Osama Sadeak Bajouh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yaser Faden
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences - Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yasser Sabr
- Maternal Fetal Medicine Division, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Watters M, Noble M, Child T, Nelson S. Short versus extended progesterone supplementation for luteal phase support in fresh IVF cycles: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Reprod Biomed Online 2019; 40:143-150. [PMID: 31864902 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2019.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Revised: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
This review and meta-analysis aim to assess the effect of prolonged progesterone support on pregnancy outcomes in women undergoing fresh embryo transfer after IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Two independent authors searched Embase, MEDLINE and grey literature from inception to January 2019 for randomized controlled trials (RCT) of prolonged progesterone support versus early cessation. Risk of bias was assessed. Outcome measures were live birth, miscarriage and ongoing pregnancy rate. The study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42018088605). Seven trials involving 1627 participants were included: three reported live birth rate (672/830), seven the miscarriage rate (178/1627) and seven the ongoing pregnancy rate (1351/1627). Clinical outcomes were similar between early progesterone cessation versus progesterone continuation: live birth rate (risk ratio [RR] 0.94, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.88-1.00), miscarriage rate (RR 0.91, 95% CI 0.69-1.20) and ongoing pregnancy rate (RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.91-1.05). Ongoing pregnancy rates were similar when analyses were restricted to those with cessation of progesterone on the day of a positive human chorionic gonadotrophin (RR 0.93, 95% CI 0.83-1.06). This meta-analysis suggests that prolonged progesterone support may be unnecessary after fresh embryo transfer. Further larger RCT would be useful to corroborate and lead to standardized duration of progesterone luteal phase support across IVF/ICSI centres.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tim Child
- The Fertility Partnership, Oxford, UK; Medical Sciences Division, Oxford University, Oxford, UK
| | - Scott Nelson
- School of Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK; The Fertility Partnership, Oxford, UK; NIHR Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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Abstract
Pregnancy is associated with physiological adjustments in order to allow adequate growth and fetal development. In particular, steroids are necessary to maintain in balance numerous functions during gestation. Steroidogenesis in the maternal, placental and fetal compartments and the biological effects of progestins and estrogens that play a pivotal role before and during pregnancy are described. Although it is well-known that androgens are considered as substrate for estrogens biosynthesis, their biosynthesis and functionality in placental and other tissues have been questioned. As compared with healthy pregnancy, steroid hormones levels have been found altered in complicated pregnancies and hormonal treatments have been used is some pathologies. Therefore, the aim of this work was to review the biosynthesis, function and regulation of progestins, androgens and estrogens during gestation. Furthermore, steroid hormones concentrations during healthy and complicated pregnancy as well hormonal therapies for the prevention of miscarriages and preterm deliveries are discussed in the present review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy Noyola-Martínez
- a Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción , Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán , D.F. México , México
| | - Ali Halhali
- a Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción , Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán , D.F. México , México
| | - David Barrera
- a Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción , Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán , D.F. México , México
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Shah NM, Lai PF, Imami N, Johnson MR. Progesterone-Related Immune Modulation of Pregnancy and Labor. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2019; 10:198. [PMID: 30984115 PMCID: PMC6449726 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy involves a complex interplay between maternal neuroendocrine and immunological systems in order to establish and sustain a growing fetus. It is thought that the uterus at pregnancy transitions from quiescent to laboring state in response to interactions between maternal and fetal systems at least partly via altered neuroendocrine signaling. Progesterone (P4) is a vital hormone in maternal reproductive tissues and immune cells during pregnancy. As such, P4 is widely used in clinical interventions to improve the chance of embryo implantation, as well as reduce the risk of miscarriage and premature labor. Here we review research to date that focus on the pathways through which P4 mediates its actions on both the maternal reproductive and immune system. We will dissect the role of P4 as a modulator of inflammation, both systemic and intrinsic to the uterus, during human pregnancy and labor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nishel M. Shah
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Pei F. Lai
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nesrina Imami
- Department of Medicine, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mark R. Johnson
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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Wang XX, Luo Q, Bai WP. Efficacy of progesterone on threatened miscarriage: Difference in drug types. J Obstet Gynaecol Res 2019; 45:794-802. [PMID: 30632226 DOI: 10.1111/jog.13909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2018] [Accepted: 12/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
AIM To investigate whether treatment with progesterone would decrease the incidence of miscarriage in women who faced threatened miscarriage. METHODS Randomized controlled trials (RCT) were identified by searching PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science. Trials were included if they compared progesterone with placebo, no treatment or any other treatment given in an effort to treat threatened miscarriage. Pregnant prophylaxis drugs were not included without strict progesterone type, language and progesterone management. The primary outcome was the incidence of miscarriage. The summary measures were reported as relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS Eight RCT including 845 women who faced threatened miscarriage were analyzed. Pooled data from the eight trials showed that women with threatened miscarriage who were randomized to the progesterone group had a lower risk of threatened miscarriage (RR = 0.64, 95% CI 0.48-0.85). Dydrogesterone was shown to have a lower risk of miscarriage (RR = 0.49, 95% CI 0.33-0.75) than natural progesterone (RR = 0.69, 95% CI 0.40-1.19). Oral management was demonstrated to have a lower risk of miscarriage (RR = 0.55, 95% CI 0.38-0.79) compared with vaginal administration (RR = 0.58, 95% CI 0.28-1.21). CONCLUSION Our findings show that progesterone agents are effective in reducing the incidence of miscarriage in threatened miscarriage. Dydrogesterone, but not natural progesterone, was associated with a lower risk of miscarriage. Given the limitations of the studies included in our meta-analysis, it is difficult to recommend route and dose of progesterone therapy. Further head-to-head trials of gestational weeks and long-time follow-up are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Xue Wang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Capital Medical University Affiliated Shijitan Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Qing Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Wen-Pei Bai
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Capital Medical University Affiliated Shijitan Hospital, Beijing, China
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31
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Haas DM, Hathaway TJ, Ramsey PS. Progestogen for preventing miscarriage in women with recurrent miscarriage of unclear etiology. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2018; 10:CD003511. [PMID: 30298541 PMCID: PMC6516817 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd003511.pub4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Progesterone, a female sex hormone, is known to induce secretory changes in the lining of the uterus essential for successful implantation of a fertilized egg. It has been suggested that a causative factor in many cases of miscarriage may be inadequate secretion of progesterone. Therefore, clinicians use progestogens (drugs that interact with the progesterone receptors), beginning in the first trimester of pregnancy, in an attempt to prevent spontaneous miscarriage. This is an update of a review, last published in 2013. OBJECTIVES To assess the efficacy and safety of progestogens as a preventative therapy against recurrent miscarriage. SEARCH METHODS For this update, we searched Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth's Trials Register, ClinicalTrials.gov, the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) (6 July 2017) and reference lists from relevant articles, attempting to contact trial authors where necessary, and contacted experts in the field for unpublished works. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomized or quasi-randomized controlled trials comparing progestogens with placebo or no treatment given in an effort to prevent miscarriage. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently assessed trials for inclusion and risk of bias, extracted data and checked them for accuracy. Two reviewers assessed the quality of the evidence using the GRADE approach. MAIN RESULTS Thirteen trials (2556 women) met the inclusion criteria. Nine of the included trials compared treatment with placebo and the remaining four trials compared progestogen administration with no treatment. The trials were a mix of multicenter and single-center trials, conducted in Egypt, India, Jordan, UK and USA. In six trials women had had three or more consecutive miscarriages and in seven trials women had suffered two or more consecutive miscarriages. Routes, dosage and duration of progestogen treatment varied across the trials. The majority of trials were at low risk of bias for most domains. Eleven trials (2359 women) contributed data to the analyses.The meta-analysis of all women, suggests that there is probably a reduction in the number of miscarriages for women given progestogen supplementation compared to placebo/controls (average risk ratio (RR) 0.69, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.51 to 0.92, 11 trials, 2359 women, moderate-quality evidence). A subgroup analysis comparing placebo-controlled versus non-placebo-controlled trials and different routes of administration showed no differences between subgroups for miscarriage. However, there appears to be a subgroup difference for miscarriage between women with three or more prior miscarriages compared to women with two or more miscarriages, with a more pronounced effect in women with three or more prior miscarriages. However, it should be noted that there was high heterogeneity in the subgroup of women with three or more prior miscarriages.None of the trials reported on any secondary maternal outcomes, including severity of morning sickness, thromboembolic events, depression, admission to a special care unit, or subsequent fertility.There was probably a slight benefit for women receiving progestogen seen in the outcome of live birth rate (RR 1.11, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.24, 7 trials, 2086 women, moderate-quality evidence). While the rate of preterm birth is probably reduced for women receiving progestogen, this outcome was mainly driven by one trial and thus should be interpreted with great caution (RR 0.59, 95% CI 0.39 to 0.89, 5 trials, 811 women, moderate-quality evidence). No clear differences were seen for women receiving progestogen for the other secondary outcomes of neonatal death or fetal genital abnormalities. A possible reduction in stillbirth was seen, but again this outcome was driven mainly by one trial and should be interpreted with caution (RR 0.38, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.58, 3 trials, 1199 women). There may be little or no difference in the rate of low birthweight and trials did not report on the secondary child outcomes of teratogenic effects or admission to a special care unit. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS For women with unexplained recurrent miscarriages, supplementation with progestogen therapy probably reduces the rate of miscarriage in subsequent pregnancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M Haas
- Indiana University School of MedicineDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology1001 West 10th Street, F‐5IndianapolisUSA46202
| | - Taylor J Hathaway
- Indiana University School of MedicineDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology1001 West 10th Street, F‐5IndianapolisUSA46202
| | - Patrick S Ramsey
- Uniformed Services University of Health SciencesDivision of Maternal‐Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyBethesdaUSA
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32
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Lower frequency of the HLA-G UTR-4 haplotype in women with unexplained recurrent miscarriage. J Reprod Immunol 2018; 126:46-52. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2018.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2017] [Revised: 01/18/2018] [Accepted: 02/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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Meuleman T, Haasnoot GW, van Lith JMM, Verduijn W, Bloemenkamp KWM, Claas FHJ. Paternal HLA-C is a risk factor in unexplained recurrent miscarriage. Am J Reprod Immunol 2017; 79. [PMID: 29205643 DOI: 10.1111/aji.12797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM HLA-C is the only classical HLA-I antigen expressed on trophoblast. We hypothesized that the alloimmune response to paternal HLA-C plays a role in unexplained recurrent miscarriage. METHOD OF STUDY In a case-control design, we included 100 women with at least three unexplained consecutive miscarriages along with their partners and children. For the first control group, we included 90 women with an uneventful singleton pregnancy without pregnancy complications in their history along with their children. The second control group consisted of 425 families. HLA-C*07 and HLA-C*17 frequencies, which are the most immunogenic HLA-C antigens, along with HLA-C mismatches, and the presence of specific HLA antibodies in the mother were determined. RESULTS HLA-C and HLA-C*07 mismatches were significantly increased in couples with recurrent miscarriage compared to control subjects (P = .016, P = .008, respectively). The incidence of child-specific HLA-C*07/HLA-C*17 antibodies was increased in women with recurrent miscarriage (P = .007). CONCLUSION The results show that HLA-C incompatibility between couples is significantly associated with unexplained recurrent miscarriage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tess Meuleman
- Department of Obstetrics, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Geert W Haasnoot
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jan M M van Lith
- Department of Obstetrics, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Willem Verduijn
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Kitty W M Bloemenkamp
- Department of Obstetrics, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Department of Obstetrics, Wilhelmina Children Hospital Birth Centre, Division Woman and Baby, Utrecht University Medical Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Frans H J Claas
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Hapangama DK, Kamal A, Saretzki G. Implications of telomeres and telomerase in endometrial pathology. Hum Reprod Update 2017; 23:166-187. [PMID: 27979878 PMCID: PMC5850744 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmw044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2016] [Accepted: 12/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Eukaryotic chromosomal ends are linear and are protected by nucleoprotein complexes known as telomeres. The complex structural anatomy and the diverse functions of telomeres as well as the unique reverse transcriptase enzyme, telomerase that maintains telomeres are under intensive scientific scrutiny. Both are involved in many human diseases including cancer, but also in ageing and chronic disease such as diabetes. Their intricate involvement in many cellular processes and pathways is being dynamically deciphered in many organs including the endometrium. This review summarizes our current knowledge on the topic of telomeres and telomerase and their potential role in providing plausible explanations for endometrial aberrations related to common gynaecological pathologies. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE This review outlines the recent major findings in telomere and telomerase functions in the context of endometrial biology. It highlights the contemporary discoveries in hormonal regulation, normal endometrial regeneration, stem cells and common gynaecological diseases such as endometriosis, infertility, recurrent reproductive failure and endometrial cancer (EC). SEARCH METHODS The authors carried out systematic PubMed (Medline) and Ovid searches using the key words: telomerase, telomeres, telomere length, human telomerase reverse transcriptase, telomeric RNA component, with endometrium, hormonal regulation, endometrial stem/progenitor cells, endometrial regeneration, endometriosis, recurrent miscarriage, infertility, endometrial hyperplasia, EC and uterine cancer. Publications used in this review date from 1995 until 31st June 2016. OUTCOMES The human endometrium is a unique somatic organ, which displays dynamic telomerase activity (TA) related to the menstrual cycle. Telomerase is implicated in almost all endometrial pathologies and appears to be crucial to endometrial stem cells. In particular, it is vital for normal endometrial regeneration, providing a distinct route to formulate possible curative, non-hormonal therapies to treat chronic endometrial conditions. Furthermore, our current understanding of telomere maintenance in EC is incomplete. Data derived from other malignancies on the role of telomerase in carcinogenesis cannot be extrapolated to EC because unlike in other cancers, TA is already present in proliferating healthy endometrial cells. WIDER IMPLICATIONS Since telomerase is pivotal to endometrial regeneration, further studies elucidating the role of telomeres, telomerase, their associated proteins and their regulation in normal endometrial regeneration as well as their role in endometrial pathologies are essential. This approach may allow future development of novel treatment strategies that are not only non-hormonal but also potentially curative.
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Affiliation(s)
- D K Hapangama
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L8 7SS, UK.,Liverpool Women's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Crown Street, Liverpool L8 7SS, UK
| | - A Kamal
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L8 7SS, UK.,The National Center for Early Detection of Cancer, Oncology Teaching Hospital, Baghdad Medical City, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - G Saretzki
- Institute for Ageing and Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 5PL, UK
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35
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Czyzyk A, Podfigurna A, Genazzani AR, Meczekalski B. The role of progesterone therapy in early pregnancy: from physiological role to therapeutic utility. Gynecol Endocrinol 2017; 33:421-424. [PMID: 28277122 DOI: 10.1080/09513590.2017.1291615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Progesterone is a steroid hormone of essential role in reproduction. In early pregnancy, it is responsible for preparation of endometrium for implantation process and maintenance of gestational sac in uterus, also by modulation of maternal immune system. Even though, several indices has been proposed as markers of endogenous progesterone synthesis (progesterone or luteinizing hormone measurements, endometrial biopsy), none has been proved to be reliable in detecting luteal phase defect. Currently, several pharmaceutical formulations are available, but in clinical setting the non-oral formulations seems to be effective in therapy. Progesterone is effective in the treatment of patients undergoing assisted reproductive technology procedure, as a luteal phase support. Some studies showed also its efficacy in the treatment of threatening or recurrent miscarriage, but newer trials neglected this beneficial effect. Due to controversies regarding utility of progesterone supplementation in these conditions, further studies are needed to address this issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Czyzyk
- a Department of Gynecological Endocrinology , Poznan University of Medical Sciences , Poznan , Poland and
| | - Agnieszka Podfigurna
- a Department of Gynecological Endocrinology , Poznan University of Medical Sciences , Poznan , Poland and
| | | | - Blazej Meczekalski
- a Department of Gynecological Endocrinology , Poznan University of Medical Sciences , Poznan , Poland and
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