Hum. Reprod. Advance Access published online on February 22, 2007
Human Reproduction, doi:10.1093/humrep/dem014
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Management of recurrent miscarriage: evaluating the impact of a guideline
1 Centre for Reproductive Medicine 2 Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics 3 Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 4 Department of Clinical Genetics, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
5 To whom correspondence should be addressed at: Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, H4-205, PO Box 22660, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands. E-mail: m.t.franssen{at}amc.uva.nl
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Abstract |
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BACKGROUND: Little is known on the actual diagnostic and therapeutic management of recurrent miscarriage and the impact of introducing guidelines on this topic. The objective of this study was to evaluate any changes in the management of recurrent miscarriage among Dutch gynaecologists after the introduction of the Dutch guideline ‘Recurrent Miscarriage’ in 1999.
METHODS: Questionnaires were sent to all practices for obstetrics and gynaecology in the Netherlands. Data concerned definition, diagnosis and treatment of recurrent miscarriage. Results were compared with a similar study conducted before the introduction of the guideline and with the recommendations in the guideline.
RESULTS: The response rate was 83%. Regarding gestational age, only 3% of the respondents used the definition as advised in the guideline. After the introduction of the guideline, thrombophilia factors were tested more frequently, anticoagulants were prescribed more frequently and more respondents reported to correct uterine malformations. Therapies not described in the guideline, e.g. donor insemination and oocyte donation, were still applied.
CONCLUSIONS: The adherence to the Dutch guideline ‘Recurrent Miscarriage’ was rather poor, presumably due to guideline-related as well as physician-related barriers. Too many diagnostic tests and ineffective therapeutic interventions were performed. This study demonstrates the importance of appropriate implementation and revision.
Key words: recurrent miscarriage/abortion/implementation/guideline
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Introduction |
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The incidence of recurrent miscarriage among couples trying to conceive is 1–3%. A causal factor can be identified in only half of these couples (Brigham et al. 1999
; Regan and Rai, 2000). Primary antiphospholipid syndrome and structural chromosomal abnormalities are factors in which the causal relationship with recurrent miscarriage is the most evident (Christiansen et al., 2005). Other risk factors are endocrine factors, uterine anomalies, thrombophilia and smoking. However, a proven effective therapy exists only in the case of antiphospholipid syndrome (Christiansen et al., 2005).
The Dutch guideline ‘Recurrent Miscarriage’ was introduced in 1999 (Dutch Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 1999). Before the introduction of this guideline, a survey among Dutch gynaecologists demonstrated that no consensus existed on the definition and management of recurrent miscarriage and that diagnostic testing for factors without therapeutic consequences was performed frequently (Goddijn et al., 1999).
Recently, many reports have been published, discussing the importance of evidence-based medicine in relation to recurrent miscarriage (Christiansen et al., 2005; Jauniaux et al., 2006; Rai and Regan, 2006). However, little is known on the actual diagnostic and therapeutic management of recurrent miscarriage and the impact of introducing guidelines on this topic. To evaluate any changes in the management of recurrent miscarriage after the introduction of the guideline, we conducted a second survey among Dutch gynaecologists.
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Materials and methods |
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A questionnaire was sent to all 101 practices for obstetrics and gynaecology in The Netherlands in July 2003. Eight of these practices were located in university hospitals, 36 practices in non-university teaching hospitals and 57 practices in non-teaching hospitals. The questionnaire consisted mainly of multiple choice questions, with the possibility to elucidate the answers. The questions dealt with the definition of recurrent miscarriage, risk factors and diagnostic testing and therapy in couples with recurrent miscarriage. Gynaecologists were asked to indicate which factors they considered as risk factors, which diagnostic tests they ordered on a routine basis and which on a specific indication and which interventions were applied to prevent future recurrent miscarriage.
The data were compared with the results of the first survey conducted before the introduction of the guideline and with the recommendations made in the guideline ‘Recurrent Miscarriage’ (Dutch Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 1999; Goddijn et al., 1999). The percentages in the tables are based on the total number of respondents who answered the questions.
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Results |
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Completed questionnaires were returned by 84/101 (83%) of the practices, among which 7/8 (88%) were from university hospitals, 31/36 (86%) from non-university teaching hospitals and 46/57 (81%) from non-teaching hospitals. Two practices refused to participate and 15 practices did not respond.
In total, 74/77 (96%) of the respondents answered that a protocol for the management of recurrent miscarriage existed in their clinic, compared with 42% before the introduction of the guideline.
Definition
In the Dutch guideline, recurrent miscarriage is defined as three or more consecutive pregnancy losses, with a gestational age up to 22 weeks. This cut-off value for gestational age was applied by only 2/76 (3%) respondents, whereas 78% of the respondents used a maximal gestational age of 15–16 weeks, 12% a gestational age of 9 weeks and 1% used a different value. Before the introduction of the guideline, the cut-off value was similar: 71% of the respondents used a gestational age of 16–17 weeks, whereas the other respondents did not clarify this item at that time. ‘Recurrent miscarriage’ was defined as 3 or more recurrent miscarriage by 60/77 (78%) respondents and 2 or more by 22% of the respondents. Before the introduction of the guideline, this was similar (71% and 29%, respectively). For 50% of the respondents, it was essential that the recurrent miscarriage had occurred in consecutive pregnancies. For the other respondents, this was irrespective of the outcome in between pregnancies. The recurrent miscarriage had to occur with the same partner for 29/73 (40%) of the respondents, and for 60% of the respondents, this was irrespective of the partner(s). Before the introduction of the guideline, these percentages were 34% and 46%, respectively. The remaining respondents had no opinion regarding this specific item.
Risk factors
Risk factors for recurrent miscarriage according to the respondents as well as the guidelines, point of view are listed in Table I. In the previous survey, before the introduction of the guideline, this topic was not investigated. Although thyroid gland dysfunction and infections are not risk factors according to the guideline, 42% and 27%, respectively, of the respondents regarded them as such. On the other hand, a high LH level and/or polycystic ovary disease are regarded as risk factors in the guideline, whereas they were not by 52% and 36%, respectively, of the respondents.
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Diagnostic testing
Tests applied in the case of recurrent miscarriage are listed in Table II. In the Dutch guideline, it is recommended that parental chromosome analysis be performed after two (or more) recurrent miscarriage and other tests only after three (or more). Almost all respondents (96–98%) claimed to have performed parental chromosome analysis in couples with recurrent miscarriage, compared with 78% before the introduction of the guideline. Parental chromosome analysis was offered after 2 recurrent miscarriage by 63/77 (82%) respondents and after 3 by 18% of the respondents. Other diagnostic tests were applied after 2 recurrent miscarriage by 24/76 (32%) respondents and after 3 by 52/76 (68%) respondents.
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In the Dutch guideline, hysterosalpingography or hysteroscopy is advised on a specific indication. However, to examine the uterine cavity, 4% of the respondents reported to have performed saline-infusion sonography on a routine basis and 32% only on a specific indication. Using this technique, the uterine cavity is examined sonographically while saline is infused in the uterus. In the Dutch guideline, this rather new technique is not yet mentioned.
Tests for endocrine abnormalities were claimed to be performed frequently before as well as after the introduction of the guideline. Besides examining LH/FSH and plasma glucose on indication, this is not recommended in the Dutch guideline.
Many of the respondents routinely screened for antiphospholipid syndrome. Testing for other thrombophilia factors is also performed more frequently after the introduction of the guideline. In particular, protein C (75% versus 31%), protein S (74% versus 30%), antithrombin III (62% versus 23%) and factor V Leiden (65% versus 12%) are investigated on a routine basis. In the Dutch guideline, this is recommended only on a specific indication. Activated protein C resistance was performed as a routine test by 73% of the respondents after the introduction of the guideline. This item was not included in the questionnaire in 1996. Other tests were also ordered on a routine basis, whereas in the guideline, they are advised only on a specific indication; for example, APTT, DRVVT and prenatal diagnosis in the case of structural chromosome abnormalities.
Testing for infections was still applied, although by less respondents, whereas in the guideline, it is stated that this is not indicated. Immunological testing was no longer performed after the introduction of the guideline. Ultrasound examination in early pregnancy was performed frequently before as well as after the introduction of the guideline (85% and 83%, respectively), even though it is not mentioned in the guideline.
Therapy
Therapeutic interventions performed to prevent further recurrent miscarriage are listed in Table III. After the introduction of the guideline, more respondents advised to stop smoking (80% compared with 46%) and prescribed folic acid (85% compared with 53%). Furthermore, more respondents claimed to correct uterine anomalies (uterine septum resection 74% compared with 23%, myomectomy 79% compared with 39%, cerclage 43% compared with 18%), even though this is not recommended in the guideline. Less respondents prescribed progesterone (13% compared with 28%) and HCG (7% compared with 21%). After the introduction of the guideline, more respondents prescribed anticoagulants; aspirin 51% compared with 27% and heparin 45% compared with 9%. In total, 57% of the respondents reported to prescribe aspirin in combination with heparin to prevent further recurrent miscarriage. In 1996, this item was not mentioned in the questionnaire.
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Donor insemination and oocyte donation are not mentioned in the guideline, whereas 37% and 35%, respectively, of the respondents reported to apply these interventions.
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Discussion |
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TopAbstractIntroductionMaterials and methodsResultsDiscussionReferences |
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The existence of a previous survey on the definition and management of recurrent miscarriage enabled us to compare its management before and after the introduction of the Dutch guideline in 1999 and thereby to evaluate its impact. We demonstrated that the adherence to the guideline is rather poor. Even though the introduction of the guideline ‘Recurrent Miscarriage’ resulted in more structural testing for antiphospholipid syndrome, and aspirin and heparin were prescribed more frequently, many tests not recommended in the guideline were still applied and ineffective therapy was offered frequently. The high response rate (83%) suggests that the results of this study are representative for the management of recurrent miscarriage in The Netherlands.
Since 2004, the Dutch Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology has explicit instructions for developing guidelines on the basis of the criteria of the Appraisal of Guidelines, Research and Evaluation in Europe (AGREE) instrument (The AGREE Collaboration, 2001). However, in 1999, at the time the guideline ‘Recurrent Miscarriage’ was developed, these instructions were not as detailed. The guideline was developed by experts in the field. The concept was discussed by a guideline committee, after which it was put to the vote and approved by the members of the Dutch Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. After approval, it was published on the Society's website and a paper version was sent to the members. The validity of the guidelines expires after 5 years, and the present guideline is under revision.
The reasons for not following a guideline can be diverse. Barriers to guideline adherence can be guideline related (the guideline can be outdated, difficult to use or items can be controversial), physician related (for instance, lack of awareness or agreement), patient related (resistance to guideline recommendations) or related to environmental factors (for instance, lack of a reminder system or counselling materials) (Cabana et al., 1999). In The Netherlands, in the field of Reproductive Medicine, it has been reported that adherence to the guideline on intrauterine insemination was mainly impeded by the physician's lack of self-efficacy and low-outcome expectancy (Haagen et al., 2005).
Reasons for not following the Dutch guideline ‘Recurrent Miscarriage’ may be guideline related. To make good guidelines on the topic of recurrent miscarriage is extremely difficult. Many aetiological factors, tests and treatments for recurrent miscarriage are still controversial (Christiansen et al., 2005; Jauniaux et al., 2006). In 2003, at the time this survey was conducted, new data had become available, requiring a different approach. For instance, in the guideline, alcohol consumption is considered a questionable risk for recurrent miscarriage, but a later study documented that alcohol consumption during pregnancy strongly increases its risk (Rasch, 2003). Elevated LH levels are considered risk factors for recurrent miscarriage in the guideline, but later studies could not confirm this (Rai et al., 2000; Nardo et al., 2002). In the guideline, testing for the antiphospholipid syndrome is recommended on a specific indication, whereas after the development of the guideline, international consensus was reached on the usefulness of routine testing (Wilson et al., 1999). In the guideline, ultrasound examination is recommended to detect intracavitary uterine anomalies, whereas later it was demonstrated that saline-infusion sonography is a much more sensitive and specific investigation for this purpose (Dijkhuizen et al., 2000). The guideline may also be confusing or difficult to use. The definition of recurrent miscarriage according to the Dutch guideline is seldom followed. Lack of international consensus on a definition may be a contributing factor in this respect (Christiansen et al., 2005; Farquharson et al., 2005). In the Dutch guideline, it is recommended that parental chromosome analysis be performed after two recurrent miscarriage and the remaining tests after three. In The Netherlands, for convenience, this might result in performing the complete workups after two recurrent miscarriage. In most other countries, the complete workup is recommended after three recurrent miscarriage.
Other reasons for not following the guideline seem to be physician related rather than guideline related. For example, testing serum glucose without clinical manifestation of diabetes is not effective (Mills et al., 1988). Many tests were performed on a routine basis, even though it is advised to perform these tests only in the presence of a specific indication, for example, testing for thrombophilia. After the introduction of the guideline, more gynaecologists reported to correct uterine anomalies to prevent recurrent miscarriage, even though no convincing evidence exists on its effectiveness (Grimbizis et al., 2001). This is also the case for artificial insemination with donor semen and for oocyte donation. Ultrasound examination in early pregnancy was frequently performed even without clinical implications. Justification for doing so may, however, be to reassure the patient in the case of an ongoing pregnancy (Bricker and Farquharson, 2002).
The data of this study indicate that physicians and/or patients apparently wish to initiate treatment for recurrent miscarriage, even if the effectiveness has not been established or has been proved to be ineffective. On the other hand, if there is a physicians' lack of awareness of the guideline, this may be due to poor advertisement and dissemination to interested parties. Successful implementation of the guideline requires more interventions than distribution or (electronic) publication, such as educational meetings, local consensus processes, the employment of local opinion leaders and audit and feedback (Grimshaw et al., 2006). In the UK and Scandinavia, early pregnancy units exist with main focus on early pregnancy loss. In The Netherlands and other European countries, these specialized units are not established so far. It could be expected that centralized care also leads to more consensus in management and better adherence to guidelines.
In conclusion, the adherence to the Dutch guideline ‘Recurrent Miscarriage’ is rather poor, presumably due to guideline-related as well as physician-related barriers. Too many diagnostic tests and ineffective therapeutic interventions are performed. This study demonstrates the importance of appropriate implementation and revision.
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Submitted on September 20, 2006; resubmitted on December 12, 2006; accepted on January 3, 2007.
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