title: Predictive score for the systemic treatment of unruptured ectopic pregnancy with a single dose of methotrexate.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of a predictive score for the systemic treatment of unruptured ectopic pregnancy with a single dose of methotrexate in order to select the best cases for the medical treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Our study included 40 patients. The inclusion criteria were: hemodynamic stability; adnexal mass < or = 3.5 cm; desire of future pregnancy; and a written permission to participate in the study. All patients were treated with a single dose of methotrexate (50 mg/m2 i.m.). A predictive score was elaborated based on four parameters: initial levels of beta-hCG, aspects of the image at ultrasound (hematosalpinx, tubal ring or live embryo), size of the mass, vascular flow of the color Doppler. Each parameter received a grade from 0 to 2. Grade 0 represented an unfavorable situation, grade 1 a borderline situation and grade 2 a favorable situation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The success rate with a single dose of methotrexate was 75% (30/40). In the present study the cut off grade was 5, because the majority of patients with grade > or = 5 were treated successfully (29/30 - 97%), while those with grade < 5 failed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The predictive score helps us to indicate the best cases for the medical treatment. Therefore, we do not advise it when the grade is < 5. However, we can predict a good evolution of the treatment when the grade is > or = 5. Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Elito
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Reichmann
authors.forename: M N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Uchiyama
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Camano
mesh_terms: D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011271:Pregnancy, Ectopic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal
chemical_list: D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human; D008727:Methotrexate