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Prior Uterine Evacuation and the Risk of Short Cervical Length: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Author(s) -
Boelig Rupsa C.,
Villani Michela,
Jiang Eva,
Orzechowski Kelly M.,
Berghella Vincenzo
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of ultrasound in medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.574
H-Index - 91
eISSN - 1550-9613
pISSN - 0278-4297
DOI - 10.1002/jum.14529
Subject(s) - medicine , cervical dilation , odds ratio , obstetrics , retrospective cohort study , gynecology , abortion , miscarriage , dilation and curettage , cohort , gestational age , incidence (geometry) , pregnancy , gestation , surgery , genetics , biology , physics , optics
Objectives To determine whether a prior uterine evacuation procedure is associated with an increased risk of short cervical length (≤20 mm) in women without prior spontaneous preterm birth. Methods This work was a retrospective cohort study from January 2012 to December 2014 of singletons without prior spontaneous preterm birth with cervical length screening between 18 weeks and 23 weeks 6 days. Women with a prior miscarriage/abortion were excluded if management (medical, surgical, or expectant) was not specified. Prior uterine evacuation was defined as dilation and curettage or dilation and evacuation of a spontaneous or induced abortion. The primary outcome was the risk of short cervical length (≤20 mm) among women with and without 1 of more prior uterine evacuations at any gestational age, assessed by the odds ratio and adjusted odds ratio for confounders. Results Of 2672 women included, 714 (27%) had at least 1 prior uterine evacuation. The overall incidence of short cervical length in the cohort was 1% (n = 27). Women with at least 1 prior uterine evacuation were more likely to be African American (64% versus 41%; P < .001), smoke (14% versus 8%; P < .001), have a higher body mass index (mean ± SD, 28.1 ± 7.1 versus 26.8 ± 7.1 kg/m 2 ; P < .001), and have had prior full‐term delivery (60% versus 41%; P < .001). Women with at least 1 prior uterine evacuation had a significantly higher incidence of short cervical length (2% versus 0.7%; P = .003; odds ratio, 2.99 [95% confidence interval, 1.40–6.40]). After adjustment for confounders, prior uterine evacuation remained a source of increased risk of short cervical length (adjusted odds ratio, 2.63 [95% confidence interval, 1.19–5.80]). Conclusions Although the overall incidence of short cervical length is low (1%–2%), women with at least 1 prior uterine evacuation have at least a 2‐fold increased risk of a short second‐trimester cervical length compared to women without a prior uterine evacuation.