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Merced C, Pratcorona L, Higueras T, Vargas M, Del Barco E, Solà J, Carreras E, Goya M. Risk factors of early spontaneous preterm birth despite carrying a cervical pessary in singleton pregnancies with a short cervix: Development of a risk prediction model. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol X 2024; 22:100305. [PMID: 38595705 PMCID: PMC11001768 DOI: 10.1016/j.eurox.2024.100305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction We aimed to identify the incidence and risk factors of spontaneous preterm birth in pessary carriers with singleton pregnancies and a short cervix in the mid-trimester of pregnancy. Material and Methods Patient data were obtained from the PECEP Trial. We analyzed singleton pregnancies in pessary carriers with a short cervix (≤25 mm) between 18 and 22 gestational weeks. Demographics and obstetric history were compared to identify risk factors for spontaneous preterm birth < 34 gestational weeks. Each demographic and obstetric variable was compared between spontaneous preterm birth < 34 and ≥ 34 weeks of gestation.Regression analysis was used to identify risk factors. A risk score model was generated using the odds ratio for significant factors. The risk score model and spontaneous preterm birth risk were assessed using the receiver operating characteristic curve. Perinatal outcomes were compared by risk score. Results Among 190 pregnant individuals, 12 (6.3%) had spontaneous preterm birth < 34 gestational weeks. In the bivariate analysis, statistically significant differences between those with and without spontaneous preterm birth were only observed for mean cervical length at diagnosis and mean cervical length after pessary placement. By multiple logistic regression analysis, maternal age (OR 0.818; 95% CI 0.69-0.97; P 0.020), cervical length at diagnosis (OR 0.560; 95% CI 0.43-0.73; P < 0.001) and smoking status (OR 7.276; 95% CI 1.02-51.80; P 0.048) remained significantly associated with spontaneous preterm birth.The ROC curve from the multiple logistic regression analysis, including cervical length, maternal age and smoking status, had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.952 (P < 0.001). The ROC curve for the risk score model incorporating all three variables had an AUC of 0.864 (95% CI 0.77-0.96; P < 0.001). A high-risk score was predictive of spontaneous preterm birth with a sensitivity of 75%, specificity of 84%, positive predictive value of 24%, and negative predictive value of 98%.Women with a high-risk score had a significantly reduced latency to delivery and poorer neonatal outcomes than those with a low-risk score. Conclusions Patients at a high risk for spontaneous preterm birth despite pessary therapy may be identified using cervical length at diagnosis added to maternal age and smoking status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carme Merced
- Department of Obstetrics, Hospital Universitari de Vic, Consorci Hospitalari de Vic. Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laia Pratcorona
- Department of Obstetrics, Hospital Germans Trias I Pujol. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Teresa Higueras
- Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit, Department of Obstetrics, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mireia Vargas
- Department of Obstetrics, Althaia Xarxa Assistencial Universitària de Manresa, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Esther Del Barco
- Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit, Department of Obstetrics, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Judit Solà
- Data Analysis and Modeling Research Group, Universitat de Vic-Universitat Central de Catalunya, Vic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elena Carreras
- Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit, Department of Obstetrics, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Goya
- Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit, Department of Obstetrics, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Ferrer-Oliveras R, Mendoza M, Capote S, Pratcorona L, Esteve-Valverde E, Cabero-Roura L, Alijotas-Reig J. Immunological and physiopathological approach of COVID-19 in pregnancy. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2021; 304:39-57. [PMID: 33945026 PMCID: PMC8093597 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-021-06061-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) related to Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a worldwide health concern. Despite the majority of patients will evolve asymptomatic or mild-moderate upper respiratory tract infections, 20% will develop severe disease. Based on current pathogenetic knowledge, a severe COVID-19 form is mainly a hyperinflammatory, immune-mediated disorder, triggered by a viral infection. Due to their particular immunological features, pregnant women are supposed to be particularly susceptible to complicate by intracellular infections as well as immunological disturbances. As an example, immune-thrombosis has been identified as a common immune-mediated and pathogenic phenomenon both in COVID-19, in obstetric diseases and in COVID-19 pregnant women. According to extensive published clinical data, is rationale to expect an interference with the normal development of pregnancy in selected SARS-CoV-2-infected cases, mainly during third trimester.This manuscript provides insights of research to elucidate the potential harmful responses to SARS-CoV-2 and /or other coronavirus infections, as well as bidirectional interactions between COVID-19 and pregnancy to improve their respective management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Ferrer-Oliveras
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Hospital Universitari Quironsalud Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
| | - Manel Mendoza
- Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit, Department of Obstetrics, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Sira Capote
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Hospital Universitari Quironsalud Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Laia Pratcorona
- Department of Obstetrics, Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Enrique Esteve-Valverde
- Department of Internal Medicine, Althaia Network Health. Manresa, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Central de Catalunya, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Lluis Cabero-Roura
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Hospital Universitari Quironsalud Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Prof. Emeritus of Obsterics and Gynaecology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Jaume Alijotas-Reig
- Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Unit. Department of Internal Medicine-1, Vall d' Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain.
- Systemic Autoimmune Research Unit, Vall d'Hebron Reseacrh Institute, Barcelona, Spain.
- Department of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
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Merced C, Goya M, Pratcorona L, Rodó C, Llurba E, Higueras T, Cabero L, Carreras E. Cervical pessary for preventing preterm birth in twin pregnancies with maternal short cervix after an episode of threatened preterm labor: randomised controlled trial. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2019; 221:55.e1-55.e14. [PMID: 30826339 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2019.02.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Revised: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND No intervention has proved effective to date in reducing the spontaneous preterm birth rate in twin pregnancies following an episode of threatened preterm labor and with a short cervix remaining. This study was designed to ascertain whether cervical pessaries are useful in preventing spontaneous preterm birth in women with twin pregnancies and a short cervix remaining after a threatened preterm labor episode. STUDY DESIGN This open, randomized, controlled trial was conducted in 132 pregnant women who had not delivered 48 hours after a threatened preterm labor episode and had a short cervix remaining (≤20 mm between 240 and 296 weeks and ≤10 mm between 300 and 336 weeks). Patients were randomly assigned to cervical pessary (n = 67) or routine management (n = 65). The primary outcome was the spontaneous preterm birth rate before 34 weeks. Spontaneous preterm birth before 28 and 37 weeks and neonatal morbidity and mortality were also evaluated in an intention-to-treat analysis. RESULTS Significant differences were observed in the spontaneous preterm birth rate before 34 weeks between the pessary and routine management groups (11 of 67 [16.4%] in the pessary group vs 21 of 65 [32.3%] in the control group; relative risk, 0.51 [confidence interval, 0.27-0.97]; P = .03). No significant differences were observed in the preterm birth rate < 28 weeks or < 37 weeks between groups. The pessary group less frequently required readmission for new threatened preterm labor episodes (4 of 67 [5.6%] vs 14 of 65 [21.5%]; relative risk, 0.28 [confidence interval, 0.10-0.80]; P = .009). Significant reduction was observed in the number of neonates weighing less than 2500 g (17.9% [24 of 134] vs 70.8% [92 of 130]; relative risk, 0.25 [confidence interval, 0.15-0.43]; P < .0001). CONCLUSION Pessary use did significantly lower the spontaneous preterm birth rate before 34 weeks in twin pregnancies with maternal short cervix remaining after a threatened preterm labor episode. Pessary use also reduced the threatened preterm labor recurrence and neonates' weight less than 2500 g.
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Pratcorona L, Goya M, Merced C, Rodó C, Llurba E, Higueras T, Cabero L, Carreras E, Arévalo S, Avilés M, Calero I, Casellas M, Folch M, Gascón A, Mendoza M, Sanchez MA, Suy A. Cervical pessary to reduce preterm birth <34 weeks of gestation after an episode of preterm labor and a short cervix: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2018; 219:99.e1-99.e16. [PMID: 29704487 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2018.04.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2018] [Revised: 04/04/2018] [Accepted: 04/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To date, no intervention has proved effective in reducing the spontaneous preterm birth rate in singleton pregnancies following an episode of threatened preterm labor and short cervix remaining. OBJECTIVE This study was designed to ascertain whether cervical pessaries could be useful in preventing spontaneous preterm birth in women with singleton pregnancies and a short cervix after a threatened preterm labor episode. STUDY DESIGN This open randomized controlled trial was conducted in 357 pregnant women (between 240-336 weeks) who had not delivered 48 hours after a threatened preterm labor episode and had a short cervix remaining (≤25 mm at 240-296 weeks; ≤15 mm at 300-336 weeks). Patients were randomly assigned to cervical pessary (179) or routine management (178). The primary outcome was the spontaneous preterm birth rate <34 weeks. Spontaneous preterm birth <28 and 37 weeks and neonatal morbidity and mortality were also evaluated in an intention-to-treat analysis. RESULTS No significant differences between the pessary and routine management groups were observed in the spontaneous preterm birth rate <34 weeks (19/177 [10.7%] in the pessary group vs 24/175 [13.7%] in the control group; relative risk, 0.78; 95% confidence interval, 0.45-1.38). Spontaneous preterm birth <37 weeks occurred less frequently in the pessary group (26/175 [14.7%] vs 44/175 [25.1%]; relative risk, 0.58; 95% confidence interval, 0.38-0.90; P = .01). Preterm premature rupture of membranes rate was significantly lower in pessary carriers (4/177 [2.3%] vs 14/175 [8.0%]; relative risk, 0.28; 95% confidence interval, 0.09-0.84; P = .01). The pessary group less frequently required readmission for new threatened preterm labor episodes (8/177 [4.5%] vs 35/175 [20.0%]; relative risk, 0.23; 95% confidence interval, 0.11-0.47; P < .0001). No serious adverse maternal events occurred; neonatal morbidity and mortality were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION Pessary use did not significantly lower the spontaneous preterm birth rate <34 weeks in women with a short cervix remaining after a threatened preterm labor episode but did significantly reduce the spontaneous preterm birth rate <37 weeks, threatened preterm labor recurrence, and the preterm premature rupture of membranes rate.
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Mendoza M, Goya M, Gascón A, Pratcorona L, Merced C, Rodó C, Valle L, Romero A, Juan M, Rodríguez A, Muñoz B, Santacruz B, Carreras E, Cabero L. Modification of cervical length after cervical pessary insertion: correlation weeks of gestation. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2016; 30:1596-1601. [DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2016.1216538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Manel Mendoza
- Department of Obstetrics, Maternal Foetal Medicine Unit, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain,
| | - Maria Goya
- Department of Obstetrics, Maternal Foetal Medicine Unit, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain,
| | - Andrea Gascón
- Department of Obstetrics, Maternal Foetal Medicine Unit, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain,
| | - Laia Pratcorona
- Department of Obstetrics, Maternal Foetal Medicine Unit, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain,
| | - Carme Merced
- Department of Obstetrics, Maternal Foetal Medicine Unit, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain,
| | - Carlota Rodó
- Department of Obstetrics, Maternal Foetal Medicine Unit, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain,
| | - Leonor Valle
- Department of Obstetrics, Maternal Foetal Medicine Unit, Hospital Materno Infantil de Canarias. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain,
| | - Azahar Romero
- Department of Obstetrics, Maternal Foetal Medicine Unit, Hospital Materno Infantil de Canarias. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain,
| | - Miquel Juan
- Department of Obstetrics, Maternal Foetal Medicine Unit, Hospital Son Llatzer, Balearic Islands, Spain,
| | - Alberto Rodríguez
- Department of Obstetrics, Maternal Foetal Medicine Unit, Institut Sanitari Dexeus, Barcelona, Spain,
| | - Begoña Muñoz
- Department of Obstetrics, Maternal Foetal Medicine Unit, Hospital Sant Joan de Reus. Reus, Tarragona, Spain, and
| | - Bele˜n Santacruz
- Department of Obstetrics, Maternal Foetal Medicine Unit, Hospital de Fuenlabrada, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Carreras
- Department of Obstetrics, Maternal Foetal Medicine Unit, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain,
| | - Luis Cabero
- Department of Obstetrics, Maternal Foetal Medicine Unit, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain,
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Goya M, de la Calle M, Pratcorona L, Merced C, Rodó C, Muñoz B, Juan M, Serrano A, Llurba E, Higueras T, Carreras E, Cabero L. Cervical pessary to prevent preterm birth in women with twin gestation and sonographic short cervix: a multicenter randomized controlled trial (PECEP-Twins). Am J Obstet Gynecol 2016; 214:145-152. [PMID: 26627728 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2015.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2015] [Revised: 10/28/2015] [Accepted: 11/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spontaneous preterm birth (SPB) is the leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality. In twins, the rate of preterm birth is higher than in singletons; interventions to prevent preterm birth are needed in this high-risk population. OBJECTIVE We sought to test whether a cervical pessary reduces the preterm birth rate in twin pregnancies with sonographic short cervix. STUDY DESIGN A prospective, open-label, multicenter, randomized clinical trial was conducted in 5 hospitals in Spain. The ethics committees of all participating hospitals approved the protocol. The trial was registered as ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01242410. Eligible women were scanned in Spain. The primary outcome was SPB <34 weeks of gestation. Neonatal morbidity and mortality were also evaluated. RESULTS Cervical length was measured in 2287 women; 137 pregnant women with a sonographic cervical length ≤25 mm (of 154 detected with a short cervix) were randomly assigned to receive a cervical pessary or expectant management (1:1 ratio). SPB <34 weeks of gestation was significantly less frequent in the pessary group than in the expectant management group (11/68 [16.2%] vs 26/66 [39.4%]; relative risk, 0.41; 95% confidence interval, 0.22-0.76). Pessary use was associated with a significant reduction in the rate of birthweight <2500 g (P = .01). No significant differences were observed in composite neonatal morbidity outcome (8/136 [5.9%] vs 12/130 [9.1%]; relative risk, 0.64; 95% confidence interval, 0.27-1.50) or neonatal mortality (none) between the groups. No serious adverse effects associated with the use of a cervical pessary were observed. CONCLUSION The insertion of a cervical pessary was associated with a significant reduction in the SPB rate. We propose the use of a cervical pessary for preventing preterm birth in twin pregnancies of mothers with a short cervix.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Goya
- Maternal Fetal Medicine Units, Department of Obstetrics at Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona.
| | | | - Laia Pratcorona
- Maternal Fetal Medicine Units, Department of Obstetrics at Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona
| | - Carme Merced
- Maternal Fetal Medicine Units, Department of Obstetrics at Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona
| | - Carlota Rodó
- Maternal Fetal Medicine Units, Department of Obstetrics at Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona
| | | | | | | | - Elisa Llurba
- Maternal Fetal Medicine Units, Department of Obstetrics at Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona
| | - Teresa Higueras
- Maternal Fetal Medicine Units, Department of Obstetrics at Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona
| | - Elena Carreras
- Maternal Fetal Medicine Units, Department of Obstetrics at Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona
| | - Luis Cabero
- Maternal Fetal Medicine Units, Department of Obstetrics at Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona
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Bernabeu A, Goya M, Martra M, Suy A, Pratcorona L, Merced C, Llurba E, Casellas M, Carreras E, Cabero L. Physical examination-indicated cerclage in singleton and twin pregnancies: maternal–fetal outcomes. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2015; 29:2109-13. [DOI: 10.3109/14767058.2015.1076786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Bernabeu
- Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit, Department of Obstetrics, Hospital Universitari Vall D’hebron, Universitat Autonoma De Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Goya
- Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit, Department of Obstetrics, Hospital Universitari Vall D’hebron, Universitat Autonoma De Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miquel Martra
- Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit, Department of Obstetrics, Hospital Universitari Vall D’hebron, Universitat Autonoma De Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Suy
- Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit, Department of Obstetrics, Hospital Universitari Vall D’hebron, Universitat Autonoma De Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laia Pratcorona
- Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit, Department of Obstetrics, Hospital Universitari Vall D’hebron, Universitat Autonoma De Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carme Merced
- Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit, Department of Obstetrics, Hospital Universitari Vall D’hebron, Universitat Autonoma De Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elisa Llurba
- Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit, Department of Obstetrics, Hospital Universitari Vall D’hebron, Universitat Autonoma De Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Manel Casellas
- Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit, Department of Obstetrics, Hospital Universitari Vall D’hebron, Universitat Autonoma De Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elena Carreras
- Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit, Department of Obstetrics, Hospital Universitari Vall D’hebron, Universitat Autonoma De Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Luis Cabero
- Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit, Department of Obstetrics, Hospital Universitari Vall D’hebron, Universitat Autonoma De Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Goya M, Pratcorona L, Merced C, Rodó C, Valle L, Romero A, Juan M, Rodríguez A, Muñoz B, Santacruz B, Bello-Muñoz JC, Llurba E, Higueras T, Cabero L, Carreras E. Cervical pessary in pregnant women with a short cervix (PECEP): an open-label randomised controlled trial. Lancet 2012; 379:1800-6. [PMID: 22475493 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(12)60030-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 282] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most previous studies of the use of cervical pessaries were either retrospective or case controlled and their results showed that this intervention might be a preventive strategy for women at risk of preterm birth; no randomised controlled trials have been undertaken. We therefore undertook a randomised, controlled trial to investigate whether the insertion of a cervical pessary in women with a short cervix identified by use of routine transvaginal scanning at 20-23 weeks of gestation reduces the rate of early preterm delivery. METHODS The Pesario Cervical para Evitar Prematuridad (PECEP) trial was undertaken in five hospitals in Spain. Pregnant women (aged 18-43 years) with a cervical length of 25 mm or less were randomly assigned according to a computer-generated allocation sequence by use of central telephone in a 1:1 ratio to the cervical pessary or expectant management (without a cervical pessary) group. Because of the nature of the intervention, this study was not masked. The primary outcome was spontaneous delivery before 34 weeks of gestation. Analysis was by intention to treat. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00706264. FINDINGS 385 pregnant women with a short cervix were assigned to the pessary (n=192) and expectant management groups (n=193), and 190 were analysed in each group. Spontaneous delivery before 34 weeks of gestation was significantly less frequent in the pessary group than in the expectant management group (12 [6%] vs 51 [27%], odds ratio 0·18, 95% CI 0·08-0·37; p<0·0001). No serious adverse effects associated with the use of a cervical pessary were reported. INTERPRETATION Cervical pessary use could prevent preterm birth in a population of appropriately selected at-risk women previously screened for cervical length assessment at the midtrimester scan. FUNDING Instituto Carlos III.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Goya
- Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit, Department of Obstetrics, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Goya M, Pratcorona L, Higueras T, Perez-Hoyos S, Carreras E, Cabero L. Sonographic cervical length measurement in pregnant women with a cervical pessary. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2011; 38:205-209. [PMID: 21305638 DOI: 10.1002/uog.8960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/26/2011] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aims of this study were to describe and assess the feasibility of measuring cervical length by standard transvaginal sonography (TVS) and transperineal sonography (TPS) in women with a cervical pessary and compare these measurements with those obtained with a new transvaginal technique. METHODS Measurement of cervical length by TPS was attempted immediately before measurement using TVS in 48 women with a cervical pessary at between 22 and 23 weeks' gestation. The TVS procedure consisted of two types of measurement: in the first, the probe was placed on the anterior fornix (standard technique) and in the second, the probe was inserted into the pessary to touch the anterior cervical lip (new technique). Two physicians consecutively performed these procedures and compared the measurements obtained. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) with 95% CI were used to evaluate interobserver reliability, and Bland-Altman analysis was used to assess interobserver agreement. RESULTS In total, 258 measurements (obtained from 43 women) were analyzed. Interobserver ICCs of the measurements obtained were 0.58 (95% CI, 0.34-0.75) for TPS, 0.65 (95% CI, 0.44-0.79) for the standard TVS technique and 0.97 (95% CI, 0.95-0.98) for the new TVS technique. Bland-Altman analysis showed small mean differences between measurements obtained by two physicians for the three methods, but with narrower limits of agreements (LOA) for the new TVS technique: TPS mean difference - 0.99 mm (95% LOA, - 13.23 to 11.25 mm), standard TVS technique mean difference - 0.23 mm (95% LOA, - 10.90 to 10.44 mm) and new TVS technique mean difference - 0.01 mm (95% LOA, - 2.57 to 2.55 mm). It was apparent from the images obtained that the external os was not visible in 89% of cases when either the TPS or standard TVS technique was used. However, the external os was visible in all cases when the new TVS method was used. CONCLUSIONS We propose a new technique for measuring and monitoring cervical length in women with a cervical pessary that provides improved visualization of the cervix and increased reliability in comparison to established techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Goya
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
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