title: Randomized comparison of health-related quality of life in women with ectopic pregnancy or pregnancy of unknown location treated with systemic methotrexate or expectant management.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of treatment with systemic methotrexate (MTX) or expectant management in women with ectopic pregnancy or pregnancy of unknown location (PUL) with low and plateauing serum hCG concentrations.
  
  
  METHODS
  HRQoL was assessed alongside a randomized clinical trial (RCT) with the use of standard self-administered psychometric measure questionnaires.
  
  
  METHODS
  All women who participated in the multicenter RCT comparing treatment with systemic MTX to expectant management in women with ectopic pregnancy or persisting PUL were eligible for the HRQoL measurements.
  
  
  METHODS
  HRQoL measures of three standardized questionnaires (SF-36, RSCL, HADS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data were available for 64 of 73 women (78%) randomized in the RCT. We found no difference in HRQoL between the two treatment groups. The need for additional treatment, i.e. additional MTX injections or surgical intervention, had no impact on HRQoL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Women treated with MTX or expectant management for an ectopic pregnancy or persisting PUL have comparable quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address: nvanmello@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Norah M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: van Mello
authors.affiliation: Center for Reproductive Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Femke
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mol
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Petra J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Hajenius
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Willem M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Ankum
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, University of Adelaide, Australia.
authors.forename: Ben Willem
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Mol
authors.affiliation: Center for Reproductive Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Fulco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: van der Veen
authors.affiliation: Center for Reproductive Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Madelon
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: van Wely
mesh_terms: D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000032:Abortion, Therapeutic; D000328:Adult; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011271:Pregnancy, Ectopic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D057832:Watchful Waiting
chemical_list: D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D008727:Methotrexate
keywords: Ectopic pregnancy; Expectant management; Methotrexate; Pregnancy of unknown location; Quality of life