Profile of Ectopic Pregnancy in Tertiary Level Hospital in Uttarakhand, India ()
1. Introduction
Ectopic pregnancy is a leading cause of maternal mortality and morbidity in the first trimester and accounts for 10% to 15% of all maternal deaths [1] . In developing countries, it is becoming an important cause of morbidity and mortality. The patients usually present late with rupture and shock [2] . Foetal loss, recurrence and impairment of subsequent fertility are associated with ectopic pregnancy [3] .
The true incidence of ectopic pregnancy is difficult to determine [3] . It varies significantly among institutions and countries, depending on the denominator used in its calculations and the facilities available for diagnosis. Currently, the overall incidence is increasing worldwide [3] -[14] , but the case-fatality rate has decreased [6] [14] . This might be due to a combination of increasing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and better antibiotics that permit tubal patency with luminal damage following infection, and an increase in ovulation induction, assisted reproductive technology, and improved diagnostic techniques [1] [4] [9] [15] . More than 95% of ectopic pregnancies occur in the fallopian tube, making this the commonest site [1] [4] -[6] .
The etiology of ectopic pregnancy is not well clear. Several factors increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy. These risk factors share a common mechanism of action―namely, interference with fallopian tube function. Normally, an egg is fertilized in the fallopian tube and then travels down the tube to the implantation site. Any mechanism that interferes with the normal function of the fallopian tube during this process increases the risk of ectopic pregnancy. The mechanism can be anatomic (e.g., scarring that blocks transport of the egg) or functional (e.g., impaired tubal mobility). Pelvic inflammatory disease, puerperal sepsis, postabortion sepsis, appendicitis, and the use of intrauterine contraceptive devices have been identified as sources of pelvic infection and major risk factors [3] [4] [6] . Other etiological risk factors are tubal/pelvic surgeries, endometriosis, exposure to diethylstilbestrol in utero, chromosomally abnormal embryo, use of progesterone-only pills, cigarette smoking, conception following induction of ovulation and in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (assisted reproductive technology), history of previous abortion, previous ectopic pregnancy, history of infertility, race, and age above 35 years [5] [9] . However, ectopic pregnancy can also occur without any obvious risk factors [5] [16] -[20] .
Rupture ectopic pregnancy could present as acute emergency or subacutely [6] . Presentation can be asymptomatic, before rupture.
Greater awareness of risk factors and improved technology (biochemical markers and ultrasonography) allow ectopic pregnancy to be identified before the development of life-threatening events.
The objective of this study is to find out and evaluate the incidence, clinical presentation, risk factors, and management outcomes of ectopic pregnancies.
2. Materials and Methods
This was a retrospective study of all cases of ectopic pregnancies admitted and managed in SMI Hospital (SGRRIMHS), Dehradun from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2013. It is a tertiary hospital. It received referral from Garhwal region of Uttarakhand state of India. All cases of diagnosed ectopic pregnancy admitted thr- ough Emergency Unit or OPD. The diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy was made mainly by history-taking, clinical physical examination, laboratory, and radiological (ultrasound) investigations. The medical records of all the patients admitted and managed for ectopic pregnancy during the study period were retrieved, and relevant data on age, parity, clinical presentation, risk factors, findings at laparotomy, and the outcome of treatment were collected using data-entry forms designed for this purpose. The gynecology and total birth records for the study period were also collected from the gynecology and labor ward record books. All those whose medical records were incomplete or missing were excluded from the study. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS and the process involved descriptive statistics.
3. Results
This study contains results of 4040 ANC patients who were admitted for last 10 years in obstetric department of SGRRIM&H Sciences, Dehradun. 202 ases were diagnosed as ectopic pregnancy which constituted 5% of all pregnancy in this institute. The mean age was 27 ± 3 years. Table 1 shows the biodemographic characteristics, the majority of patients (90.09%) were with age group upto 30 years (182 of 202).
52 of 202 (25.7%) were nulliparous and only 06 of 202 (2.97%) were multiparous (parity > 3).
Table 2 shows clinical presentations of ectopic pregnancy. 162 of 202 presented with abdominal pain, 152 of 202 (75.24%) had amenorrhoea while 140 of 202 (69.30%) presented with vaginal bleeding. 110 of 202 (54.45%) had duration of ≤ 8 weeks of amenorrhoea (Table 3).
The commonest site of ectopic gestation (Table 4) was the ampullary region of fallopian tube (111 of 202,
![]()
Table 1. Demographic characteristics of patients with ectopic pregnancy.
![]()
Table 2. Clinical presentation of ectopic pregnancy.
![]()
Table 4. Site of ectopic pregnancy.
54.95%), while lowest occurrence was at tubo-ovarian site (6 of 202, 2.97%).
120 of 202 (59.40%) had as past history of induced abortion while 87 of 202 (43.06%) had pelvic inflammatory disease, as risk factors for ectopic pregnancy (Table 5). Other associated risk factors were previous history of abdominopelvic surgery (11.38%), previous spontaneous abortion (18.31%), intra uterine contraceptive device (10.39%) and previous ectopic pregnancy (5.44%).
The majority of patients were diagnosed through history taking, physical examination and ultrasound including abdominal abdominal paracentesis (89.43%) (Table 6).
192 of 202 (95.04%) patients had ruptured ectopic pregnancies, while 10 (4.96%) were not rupture (Table 7).
Commonest surgery done was salpingectomy in 175 of 202 (86.63%), while in only 7 (3.46%) required salpingo-oophorectomy (Table 8).
58.3% of patients had anaemic after surgery. All had severe anaemia and blood transfusions were given.
The fatality rate was 1.98% (4 of 202) and it was due to excessive haemorrhage and late arrival in hospital (Table 9).
![]()
Table 5. Risk factors found in patients with ectopic pregnancy.
![]()
Table 8. Type of surgical treatment.
![]()
Table 9. Morbidity of ectopic pregnancy.
4. Discussion
Ectopic pregnancy is a life threatening emergency in obstetrics. The incidence of ectopic pregnancy our centre is 5% of all pregnant women admitted. Incidence is higher than developed countries like Sweden and Finland [13] [14] [21] . The incidence is higher than those of various studies within Nigeria [22] -[25] . The increased incidence in our centre, may be in tertiary status and it is a referral centre for complicated cases. This centre also has better diagnostic facilities. The higher incidence is also because of rising trend of ectopic pregnancy. The incidence of ectopic pregnancy was found to be highest in upto 30 years of patients [22] . This was not surprising because this is reproductive age group high sexual activity and risky methods were noted amongst this group [2] .
52 of 202 were nulliparous women. This may be because newly married people with early unintended pregnancy often procure unsafe abortions by use of medical abortion pills, which subsequently predisposes them to having an ectopic gestation in future pregnancies. A previous history of induced abortion and pelvic inflammatory disease were major risk factors in our subjects. This could be related to sepsis because of unsafe abortions.
The increase risk of ectopic pregnancy has been attributed to: pelvic inflammatory disease, smoking in wo- men of reproductive age, use of medical abortion pills, and increased use of assisted reproductive technology and increased awareness of ectopic pregnancy [1] [24] -[27] .
Morbidity and mortality are quite. Common with ruptured ectopic pregnancy suspicious and early diagnosis is important to save life and reduce costs.
Abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding were most common clinical presentation in our study [23] [27] [28] . Amenorrhoea and vaginal bleeding were other common clinical presentation [23] [27] . However some studies have shown that about 10% - 20% of ectopic pregnancies may present without vaginal bleeding [19] . There are no specific clinical feature that is pathognomic for ectopic pregnancy.
Signs of shock, including hypotension, tachycardia and rebound tenderness were usually present with ruptured ectopic pregnancy. Our diagnosis was based on history, physical examination and abdominal paracentesis. Pregnancy tests were used as supportive diagnostic investigations, with diagnosis confirmed by transabdominal ultrasound scan.
The commonest site of ectopic pregnancy from our findings was the ampullary region of the fallopian was the ampullary region of the fallopian tube, which has also been reported by other studies [3] [17] [21] .
Many ectopic pregnancies with low β-hcg (<200) can be treated expectantly [1] [5] [6] .
Shock due to massive blood loss often result in life threatening morbidity and mortality. Immedate surgery after resuscitation is both diagnostic and therapeutic [29] . Immediate intravenous fluid and blood, emergency laprotomy with salpingectomy and conservation of ovaries, was done to most of patients to save life.
Salpingectomy was the most commonest surgical procedure performed to save life, as most of cases were ruptured ectopic pregnancies with massive hemoperitoneum. This method remains the mainstay of treatment [2] -[4] , in developing countries, even some scholars have recommended conservative surgeries 30. The chance of intrauterine pregnancy in subsequent pregnancies is 40% after salpingectomy, 60% after conservative tubal surgery and 87% after medical treatment [3] .
Anaemia was the commonest complication and it was because of excessive blood loss. The blood was transfused in most of patients which placed additional burden on already compromised health resources.
The case fatality rate in our study is 1.98%; similar to other studies [30] -[33] . To prevent morbidity and mortality in ectopic pregnancies must include early access to care and promote awareness.
5. Conclusion
As incidence of ectopic pregnancy is rising, it is necessary to detect and treat early. This could be achieved by providing adequate materials, manpower and equipment of health and efficient referral system and use of medical pill over the counter without doctor’s prescription should be banned.
NOTES
*Corresponding author.