title: Decline in βhCG levels between days 0 and 4 after a single dose of methotrexate for ectopic pregnancy predicts treatment success: a retrospective cohort study.
abstract: In current protocols for the medical management of ectopic pregnancies, the first indication of treatment response is obtained no sooner than day 7. We examined whether human chorionic gonadotrophin (βhCG) trends between days 0 and 4 after methotrexate provide an earlier indication of the likely outcome. Of 33 patients where serum βhCG dropped between days 0 and 4 after methotrexate, the ectopic pregnancy was resolved in 88% of cases without further treatment. Of 12 women where serum βhCG rose between days 0 and 4, only 42% had treatment success. A fall in βhCG between days 0 and 4 after treatment with methotrexate for ectopic pregnancy predicts a high likelihood of treatment success.
authors: The Ritchie Centre, Monash Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, Vic., Australia.
authors: M M
authors: MM
authors: Skubisz
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Li
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Lee
authors: E M
authors: EM
authors: Wallace
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Tong
mesh_terms: D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011271:Pregnancy, Ectopic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal; D015415:Biomarkers; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human; D008727:Methotrexate