title: The value of cervical length and plasma proMMP-9 levels for the prediction of preterm delivery in pregnant women presenting with threatened preterm labor.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the value of plasma proMMP-9 levels in predicting the progress of threatened preterm labor to true preterm labor and delivery within 7 days of presentation, along with the ultrasonographic measurement of cervical length.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included sixty two pregnant women presented in the 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of University of Athens at Aretaieion Hospital with threatened preterm labor. On subjects' presentation, cervical length was evaluated with transvaginal ultrasonography, plasma proMMP-9 levels were measured with the use of a solid phase enzyme immunoassay, and maternal characteristics (smoking, history of preterm delivery and parity) as well as the use of tocolytics were recorded. Subjects were followed up for premature delivery within 7 days. ROC analysis for plasma proMMP-9 levels was performed and logistic regression analysis was used for the evaluation of the prognostic effect of the parameters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The only significant predictors for establishment of true preterm labor and delivery within 7 days of presentation were cervical length (with cutoff value 15 mm: odds ratio=0.022, 95% CI=0.002-0.243, p=0.002) and plasma proMMP-9 (with cutoff value 67.15 ng/ml: odds ratio=0.035, 95% CI=0.003-0.388, p=0.006). The combination of the adopted proMMP-9 and cervical length cutoff values was characterized by a sensitivity of 90.9% and a specificity of 98.3% for predicting the progress to true preterm labor and delivery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Plasma proMMP-9 levels could possibly serve as a predictive factor for the progress of threatened preterm labor to true preterm labor and delivery within 7 days of presentation, along with the ultrasonographic evaluation of cervical length.
authors.affiliation: 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Athens, Aretaieion Hospital, Greece.
authors.forename: Demetrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Botsis
authors.forename: Evangelos
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Makrakis
authors.forename: Vassiliki
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Papagianni
authors.forename: Evangelia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kouskouni
authors.forename: Odysseas
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Grigoriou
authors.forename: Spyros
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dendrinos
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Creatsas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004792:Enzyme Precursors / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000097:blood*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012372:ROC Curve; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D004792:Enzyme Precursors; C120487:pro-matrix metalloproteinase 9; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9