Can failure be predicted in methotrexate treatment with the modified parameter?

The objective of the study was to increase the prediction of success of single-dose methotrexate therapy in ectopic pregnancy patients with modified parameters obtained from complete blood count and beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) parameters. In this way, it was aimed to predict patients whose methotrexate treatment may fail and rupture, to avoid unnecessary methotrexate treatment, to shorten the duration of hospital stay and to reduce patient mortality.

233 patients diagnosed with ectopic pregnancy between January 1, 2017, and March 01, 2022, in the obstetrics and gynecology service of a tertiary center were included in the study.

The mean of β-hCG was 1976 in the methotrexate group and 2358 in the surgery group (p < 0.05). The ROC curve determined the effect of BW (β-hCGxWBC/1000) and BP (β-hCGx1000/PLT) markers in diagnosing patients who will need surgery in ectopic pregnancy. The areas under the ROC curve for β-hCG, BW and BP were 0.86, 0.99 and 0.94, respectively (p < 0.05). β-hCG > 2139.03, BW > 30.96 and BP > 10.17 values were significantly associated with the need for surgery in ectopic pregnancy patients (p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that a 1-unit increase in BP caused a statistically significant 1.77-fold increase in surgical need in patients with ectopic pregnancy. In contrast, a 1-unit increase in BW caused a 2.34-fold increase in surgical need (p < 0.05).

The study results showed that BW and BP values together with β-hCG are effective in predicting ectopic pregnancy patients who may undergo surgery.