An evaluation of the pelvic score by the quantification theory for categorical data

The scoring system for pelvic examination used in Tsukuba University Hospital was evaluated by the quantification theory to investigate the precision in predicting the date of labor onset. The objects of this study were 137 nulliparous gravidae and 142 multiparous gravidae who had spontaneous onset of labor at full-term. In this analysis, we used 15 categories of findings in the examination as independent variables, and as the objective variable we used the interval from the examination to the labor onset. The multiple correlation coefficients in nulliparae was 0.593 and in multiparae 0.598. The following conclusions were reached concerning the assessment of labor onset: (1) The consistency of the cervix and the engagement of the vertex in nulliparous gravidae should be given more consideration. (2) In multiparous gravidae the dilatation of the cervix and the engagement of the vertex are important factors. (3) A different scoring system should be employed for both nulliparae and multiparae.