Success rate of methotrexate treatment for recurrent vs. primary ectopic pregnancy: a case-control study

The aim of this study was to compare the success rate of methotrexate (MTX) treatment in patients with recurrent ectopic pregnancy (REP) and primary EP (PEP). A retrospective cohort study. The study cohort comprised all patients diagnosed with an EP and treated by intention with single-dose regimen of intramuscular MTX in a tertiary medical centre during 2010–2018. Cases (REP) and controls (PEP) were compared. 262 patients had PEP and 32 had a REP. Women with REP had significantly higher gravidity order and higher incidence of previous abortions (5 vs. 3, median, p <.001, 59.3% vs. 32.8%, p <.001, respectively). Women with REP had a higher proportion of a history of previous surgery in general, and specifically pelvic surgery (46.8% vs. 20.6%, p <.001, 24.4% vs. 7.2%, p <.001, respectively). Treatment success was lower in the REP group (40.6% vs. 66.4%, p =.006, Odds ratio 0.34, 95% confidence interval 0.16, 0.73). In a logistic regression analysis, the only factor found to be independently associated with treatment failure was REP (adjusted odds ratio 0.30, 95% confidence interval 0.12, 0.77, p =.01). Our study suggests that medical treatment success with a single-dose regimen of MTX is lower than expected among REP cases, suggesting that different treatment approach should be considered in this setting.Impact statementWhat is already known on this subject ? There is paucity of data regarding success rate of methotrexate treatment for a recurrent ectopic pregnancy (REP). What do the results of this study add? Medical treatment success with a single-dose regimen of MTX in patients with a REP is lower than expected What are the implications of these findings for future clinical practice and/or further research? As medical treatment success with a single-dose regimen of MTX for women with a REP is lower than expected, different treatment approach should be considered. Further and prospective studies with a larger sample size are needed to confirm our findings.