Impact of SARS-Cov-2 on ectopic pregnancies management in the United
Kingdom: a multicentre paired observational study
Abstract
Objective: to describe the impact of COVID-19 on the management of
patients with ectopic pregnancy. Design: a multicentre study comparing
outcomes from a prospective cohort during the pandemic [Covid-ectopic
pregnancy registry (CEPR)] compared to an historical pre-pandemic
cohort [non-Covid ectopic pregnancy registry (NCEPR)]. Setting: five
London university hospitals. Population and Methods: consecutive
patients diagnosed clinically and/or radiologically with ectopic
pregnancy (March/2020-Aug/2020) were entered into the CEPR and an
exploratory matched analysis was performed comparing results to NCEPR
patients (January/2019-June/2019). Main outcome measures: patient
demographics, management (expectant, medical and surgical), length of
treatment, number of hospital visits (non-surgical management), length
of stay (surgical management) and 30-day complications. Results: 341
patients met inclusion: 162 CEPR and 179 NCEPR. A significantly higher
percentage of women underwent non-surgical management versus surgical
management in the CEPR versus NCEPR (58.6% [95/162] vs 72.6%
[130/179]; p= 0.0084]. Amongst patients managed with expectant
management the CEPR had a significantly lower mean number of hospital
visits compared to NCEPR [3.6 [SD 1.4] vs 13.7 [SD 13.4], p=
0.0053]. Amongst patients managed with medical management, the CEPR
had a significantly lower mean number of hospital visits [NCEPR 6.4
[SD 2.3] vs 8.8 [SD 3.9], p= 0.0014]. There was no observed
difference in complication rates between cohorts. Conclusion: women were
found to undergo significantly higher rates of non-surgical management
during COVID-19 first wave vs NCEPR cohort. Women managed non-surgically
in CPER cohort were also managed with fewer hospital attendances. This
did not lead to an increase in observed complications rates.