title: Methods to induce labour: a systematic review, network meta-analysis and cost-effectiveness analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of labour induction methods.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a systematic review of randomised trials comparing interventions for third-trimester labour induction (search date: March 2014). Network meta-analysis was possible for six of nine prespecified key outcomes: vaginal delivery within 24 hours (VD24), caesarean section, uterine hyperstimulation, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions, instrumental delivery and infant Apgar scores. We developed a decision-tree model from a UK NHS perspective and calculated incremental cost-effectiveness ratios, expected costs, utilities and net benefit, and cost-effectiveness acceptability curves.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all, 611 studies comparing 31 active interventions were included. Intravenous oxytocin with amniotomy and vaginal misoprostol (≥50 μg) were most likely to achieve VD24. Titrated low-dose oral misoprostol achieved the lowest odds of caesarean section, but there was considerable uncertainty in ranking estimates. Vaginal (≥50 μg) and buccal/sublingual misoprostol were most likely to increase uterine hyperstimulation with high uncertainty in ranking estimates. Compared with placebo, extra-amniotic prostaglandin E2 reduced NICU admissions. There were insufficient data to conduct analyses for maternal and neonatal mortality and serious morbidity or maternal satisfaction. Conclusions were robust after exclusion of studies at high risk of bias. Due to poor reporting of VD24, the cost-effectiveness analysis compared a subset of 20 interventions. There was considerable uncertainty in estimates, but buccal/sublingual and titrated (low-dose) misoprostol showed the highest probability of being most cost-effective.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Future trials should be designed and powered to detect a method that is more cost-effective than low-dose titrated oral misoprostol.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  New study ranks methods to induce labour in pregnant women on effectiveness and cost.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Women's Health Research, University of Liverpool and Liverpool Women's Hospital, Liverpool, UK.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Alfirevic
authors.affiliation: School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Keeney
authors.affiliation: Centre for Women's Health Research, University of Liverpool and Liverpool Women's Hospital, Liverpool, UK.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dowswell
authors.affiliation: School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Welton
authors.affiliation: Centre for Women's Health Research, University of Liverpool and Liverpool Women's Hospital, Liverpool, UK.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Medley
authors.affiliation: School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dias
authors.affiliation: Centre for Women's Health Research, University of Liverpool and Liverpool Women's Hospital, Liverpool, UK.
authors.forename: L V
authors.initials: LV
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.affiliation: School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Caldwell
mesh_terms: D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D061605:Administration, Intravenous; D000286:Administration, Sublingual; D000074885:Amniotomy; D001034:Apgar Score; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015232:Dinoprostone; D005113:Extraction, Obstetrical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007751:Labor, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D016595:Misoprostol; D010120:Oxytocics; D010121:Oxytocin; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D010120:Oxytocics; D016595:Misoprostol; D010121:Oxytocin; D015232:Dinoprostone
keywords: Comparative effectiveness research; cost-effectiveness analysis; labour induction; network meta-analysis; systematic review