Raised electrical uterine activity and shortened cervical length could predict preterm delivery in a low-risk population

Scientific paper - Original scientific paper

• Author: Ozren Grgić
• Author: Ratko Matijević
• Author: Krunoslav Kuna
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; School of Medicine
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE; Clinical Medical Sciences

Abstract (english)

PURPOSE:

To compare diagnostic accuracy of sonographic cervical length (CL) measurement and uterine electric activity assessed by electromyography (EMG) in second trimester regarding prediction of preterm delivery (PTD). ----- METHODS:

Prospective study of 308 low-risk women. Shortened CL was defined as ≤25 mm (≤5th centile), while raised EMG activity was defined as the presence of ≥20 action potentials in 20 min of assessment (≥95th centile). Outcome measures were diagnostic accuracy of both tests alone or in combination for prediction of PTD and early PTD (≤34 weeks). ----- RESULTS:

The incidence of PTD was 23/308 (7.4%) while the incidence of early PTD was 9/308 (2.9%). Shortened CL and raised EMG activity were significantly related to PTD [prevalence-weighted likelihood ratio (pw-LR) 1.9, 95% CI 1.0-3.5 vs. 9.5, 95% CI 2.5-35.7], but not to early PTD (pw-LR 0.4, 95% CI 0.2-0.8 vs. 0.6, 95% CI 0.3-1.7). Significant predictive value for early PTD was found only if both tests were combined (pw-LR 4, 95% CI 1.3-14.3). ----- CONCLUSION:

Shortened CL and raised EMG activity in second trimester have significant diagnostic accuracy regarding prediction of PTD in a low-risk population. However, in order to be useful as a predictor for early PTD both tests must be positive.

• Keywords (english): Action Potentials / physiology; Adult; Cervical Length Measurement; Cervix Uteri / diagnostic imaging; Cervix Uteri / physiopathology; Electromyography; Female; Humans; Obstetric Labor, Premature / diagnosis; Obstetric Labor, Premature / diagnostic imaging; Predictive Value of Tests; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Trimester, Second; Sensitivity and Specificity; Young Adult
• Language: english
• Publication type: Scientific paper - Original scientific paper
• Publication status: Published
• Peer review: Peer review
• Publication version: Accepted version
• Journal title: Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics
• Numbering: vol. 285, no. 1, pp. 31-35
• p-ISSN: 0932-0067
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-011-1906-x
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:105:770135
• Publication: 2012-01
• Document URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-011-1906-x
• Type of resource: Text
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2024-03-27 19:12:13