title: Combination of biochemical markers in predicting pre-term delivery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive performances of some biochemical markers in predicting pre-term delivery in asymptomatic women.
  
  
  METHODS
  We included 491 asymptomatic women at 24 weeks' gestation, who underwent the endocervical phosphorylated insulin-like growth factor binding protein (phIGFBP-1) test, cervico-vaginal interleukins 6 (IL-6) and 8 (IL-8), and serum C-reactive protein (CRP). A receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) curve was used to determine the most useful cut off point. A multivariate logistic regression model was used in order to analyze the combination of significant predictive variables for pre-term delivery following univariate analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ROC curves indicated that 33 μg/l was the optimal cut off value for phIGFBP-1 test, 21.3 ng/l for IL-6, 324 ng/l for IL-8, and 8.42 mg/l for CRP in predicting pre-term delivery. The univariate logistic regression analyses revealed an odds ratio of 3.04 for phIGFBP-1 test, 4.82 for IL-6, and 3.08 for CRP. The multivariate analysis of phIGFBP-1 test, IL-6, and CRP showed that they were independent variables and therefore useful in combination for predicting pre-term delivery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The phIGFBP-1 test, the cervico-vaginal IL-6, and the serum CRP are independent variables that can be used together to predict pre-term delivery in asymptomatic women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Novara, Novara, Italy. frriboni@tin.it
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Riboni
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vitulo
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Plebani
authors.forename: Marinella
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dell'avanzo
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Battagliarin
authors.forename: Delia
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Paternoster
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018970:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1 / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000032:analysis; D016015:Logistic Models; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000378:metabolism*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D012372:ROC Curve
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; C032231:IGFBP1 protein, human; C508600:IL6 protein, human; D018970:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1; D015850:Interleukin-6; D002097:C-Reactive Protein