Efficacy of a four-drug combined regimen compared to uterine curettage in the treatment of incomplete medical abortion: a prospective observational study

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the clinical efficacy of the combined regimen of four drugs (drospirenone and ethinylestradiol tablets (II), mifepristone, misoprostol, and Xinshenghua granules) for the treatment of incomplete medical abortion (MA). Methods: 184 patients diagnosed with incomplete MA were recruited and divided into two groups: the combined medication group (n = 92) and the uterine curettage group (n = 92). Patients in the combined medication group were treated with a combined regimen of four drugs, while those in the uterine curettage group were treated with uterine curettage. Results: After treatment, the diameter of residue (0.00 VS 4.26 ± 2.34 mm, t=-3.359, P = 0.010), days of vaginal bleeding (9.79 ± 1.76 VS 11.92 ± 1.91 days, t=-4.688, P = 0.010) and return time of menses (28.58 ± 2.67 VS 31.24 ± 2.43 days, t=-4.238, P < 0.001) of the combined medication group were significantly lower than those of the uterine curettage group. The duration of menstruation (6.12 ± 1.12 VS 5.11 ± 0.98 days, t=-2.681, P = 0.007) and the proportion of menstrual volume equal to past menstruation after return of menses were higher in the combined medication group than in the uterine curettage group (80.43% VS 57.61%, χ2 = 16.472, P < 0.001). No statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of serum β-HCG levels after treatment (P > 0.05); the overall response rate was higher in the combined medication group than in the uterine curettage group (97.83% VS 80.43%, χ2 = 54.331, P < 0.001). No adverse reaction events occurred during the treatment. Conclusion: The combined regimen of four drugs boasts favorable efficacy for the treatment of incomplete MA, and is equally efficient as compared to uterine curettage.