title: Have we achieved progress in tocolytic treatment?--results of a retrospective cohort study in a tertiary university hospital.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Beta-agonists play an important role in tocolytic treatment. In light of recent changes in the Polish medical care system, we decided to assess the effectiveness of oral continuous treatment (in 2012) and compare it with a 3-day intravenous administration of fenoterol (in 2013). The aim of our study was to contrast cost and effectiveness of fenoterol therapy in pregnant women at risk of preterm labor during two consecutive years: 2012 - when fenoterol had been widely used (group A), and 2013 when its extensive use had been withdrawn (group B).
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective cohort study of 129 pregnant women: 76 treated with intravenous fenoterol, followed by continuous oral administration (November 2012; group A), and 53 treated with intravenous fenoterol only for 48-72 hours (November 2013; group B).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Perinatal outcomes (based on the Apgar score and neonatal weight) were comparable in both groups. Continuous oral application of fenoterol resulted in earlier gestational age at delivery and lower cost of hospitalization among women from group A as compared to group B. Regardless, the difference was not statistically significant (37 hbd vs. 35 hbd, p = 0.626; 4334,700PLN vs. 5232,470PLN, p = 0.533).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A 3-day intravenous application of fenoterol is as effective as oral continuous therapy and is characterized by reduced risk of negative side effects.
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tomczyk
authors.forename: Paweł
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rzymski
authors.forename: Maciej
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wilczak
mesh_terms: D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005280:Fenoterol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011044:Poland; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015145:Tocolysis / Q000379:methods*; D015149:Tocolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015149:Tocolytic Agents; D005280:Fenoterol