Risk factors for recurrence of ectopic pregnancy

Objectives. - Investigate and identify the risk factors influencing the recurrence of ectopic pregnancies. Patients and methods. - The Auvergne ectopic pregnancy registry data were analyzed from 1992 to 2008. The appearance of a recurrence was studied among 1108 women from 18 to 44 years old, who attempted to conceive again. Results. - One hundred and sixteen repeated ectopic pregnancies occurred (10.5%) during the period. under study. The rate of recurrence was significantly higher among women who had a history of voluntary termination of pregnancy (P = 0.01). Conversely, fewer recurrences (P = 0.01 and 0.0478) occurred among women having a history of infertility or previous live birth. The treatment for ectopic pregnancy, whether it is conservative or radical laparoscopic, or medical with methotrexate did not significantly influence the recurrence rate (P = 0.86). Conclusion. - Reproductive history appears to involve the risk of repeated ectopic pregnancy and must be taken into account in their secondary prevention. As for the choice of treatment, the risk of recurrence does not seem to constitute a decisive argument. (C) 2011 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.