Reproductive potential after an ectopic pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE

To measure statistically how soon pregnancy can occur after an ectopic pregnancy (EP) so as to determine the cumulative pregnancy rate and the risk factors involved in nonpregnancy.

DESIGN

The risk of not getting pregnant after an EP (survivorship) was estimated for 120 patients followed up for up to 60 months using the actuarial life-table technique. The risk factors involved in nonpregnancy, abortions, or live births were analyzed, using Cox regression models.

SETTING

King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

RESULTS

There were 68 pregnancies over the study period, with a conception rate of 56.7%. Using the actuarial life table, the cumulative probability of not achieving pregnancy in a patient decreased sharply during the first 12 months, followed by a gradual decrease up to 48 months. The Cox regression analysis showed a correlation between pregnancy and two variables, namely, age and history of prior EP. The chances of a pregnancy resulting in abortion or live birth also correlated with the presence of prior infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), or postoperative complications.

CONCLUSION

Age and prior EP are important determinants in pregnancy rates after an EP. Similarly, history of PID, infertility, and postoperative complications are important risk factors in whether the pregnancy goes to term or ends in abortion.