[Epidemiological and clinical aspects of ectopic pregnancies at a university service between 2000 and 2004]

To compare the frequency of ectopic pregnancies (EP) in women hospitalized yearly in relation to IUD insertions and number of live births, evaluating possible associated variables and characteristics of diagnosis and treatment.

In a cohort cross-sectional study, data was obtained from 151 women with EP hospitalized between 2000 and 2004, comparing the number of EP with that of live births and IUD insertions, annually. Variables studied were: age, schooling, marital status, current use and history of previous IUD use, history of abortions, infertility and EP, treatment and surgery performed, site of insertion, unruptured/ruptured EP, length of hospitalization, blood transfusion and complications. Analysis of frequencies was performed and multiple linear regression procedures were used for variables that could be associated with variation in the ratios studied each year. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee.

The frequency of EP did not increase in the five years studied. Only the percentage of women with previous EP was associated with prevalence of EP. Age of 80% of the women ranged from 20 to 34 years, 61% did not use contraceptive methods, 4.6% currently used and 10% had used IUD, 42% reported having had an abortion, 18% infertility and 15% a previous EP. Hospital admissions occurred in 69.5% of women with ruptured EP. Treatment was conservative for 20% and radical surgery for 80% of these women, 47% of women remained hospitalized for > 4 days. There were 20.5% of transfusions and five complications.

Frequency of ectopic pregnancies remained unchanged in the period under study and only the percentage of women with previous EP was associated with frequency of EP.