Temporal trends in severe morbidity and mortality associated with ectopic pregnancy requiring hospitalisation in Washington State, USA: a population-based study

Objective

To examine temporal trend in maternal mortality/severe morbidity associated with hospitalisation due to ectopic pregnancy.

Design

A population-based observational study.

Setting and participants

All women hospitalised for ectopic pregnancy in Washington State, USA, 1987–2014 (n=20 418). The main composite outcome of severe morbidity/mortality included death, sepsis, need for transfusion, hysterectomy and systemic or organ failure, identified by diagnostic and procedure codes from hospitalisation files. Severe morbidity/mortality due to ectopic pregnancy were expressed as incidence ratios among women of reproductive age (15–64 years) and among women hospitalised for ectopic pregnancy. Comparisons were made between 1987–1991 (reference) and 2010–2014 using ratios of incidence ratios (RR) and ratio differences (RD). The Cochran-Armitage test for trend assessed statistical significance; logistic regression was used to obtain adjusted OR (AOR) and 95% CI, adjusted for demographic factors and comorbidity.

Results

Hospitalisation for ectopic pregnancy declined from 0.89 to 0.16 per 1000 reproductive age women between 1987–1991 and 2010–2014 (p<0.001). Among reproductive age women, ectopic pregnancy mortality remained stable (0.03 per 100 000); and mortality/severe morbidity increased among women aged 25–34 years (p=0.022). Among women hospitalised for ectopic pregnancy, mortality increased from 0.29 to 1.65 per 1000 between 1987–1991 and 2010–2015 (p=0.06); severe morbidity/mortality increased from 3.85% to 19.63% (RR=5.10, 95% CI 4.36 to 5.98; RD=15.78 per 100 women, 95% CI 13.90 to 17.66; AOR for 1-year change was 1.08, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.08).

Conclusions

Hospitalisation for ectopic pregnancy declined in Washington State, USA, between 1987 and 2014; however, mortality/severe morbidity associated with ectopic pregnancy increased in female population aged 25–34 years.

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