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Misoprostol versus Oxytocin for the Prevention of Postpartum Hemorrhage: An Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis.
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  • Madeline FLANAGAN,
  • Ling Shan Au,
  • Malitha PATABENDIGE,
  • Arsheeya RATTAN,
  • Ritwik SAMANTA,
  • Daljit Sahota,
  • Enrique TERAN,
  • Vanita Jain,
  • Musa AO,
  • Munir’deen A. IJAIYA,
  • Daniel Rolnik,
  • Wentao Li,
  • Ben Mol
Madeline FLANAGAN
Monash University Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Corresponding Author:madeline.flanagan@monash.edu

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Ling Shan Au
Monash University Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
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Malitha PATABENDIGE
Monash University Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
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Arsheeya RATTAN
Monash University Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
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Ritwik SAMANTA
Kothari Medical Centre and Research Institute
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Daljit Sahota
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
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Enrique TERAN
Universidad San Francisco de Quito Colegio de Ciencias de la Salud
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Vanita Jain
Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research
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Musa AO
Federal Medical Centre
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Munir’deen A. IJAIYA
University of Ilorin
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Daniel Rolnik
Monash University Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
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Wentao Li
Monash University Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
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Ben Mol
Monash University Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
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Abstract

Background: Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is the leading cause of maternal mortality. Uterotonics are the mainstay of PPH prevention. Objectives: To compare the efficacy of misoprostol and oxytocin for the prevention of PPH, and to evaluate the trustworthiness of trials comparing these uterotonics. Search strategy and selection criteria: Seven databases were searched for peer-reviewed literature, meeting the inclusion criteria of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing misoprostol and oxytocin for the prevention of PPH. Data Collection and Analysis: Data were collected by two independent reviewers. Individual participant data (IPD) was meta-analyzed for outcomes PPH≥500mL and PPH≥1000mL. RCTs that did not share IPD were classified as trustworthy or not and were included in an aggregate data meta-analysis according to trustworthiness. Main results: Of 79 eligible RCTs, ten (12.7%) provided IPD, of which six were included. Analysis of IPD showed PPH≥500mL to be significantly higher in the misoprostol than the oxytocin group (2,022 women, aOR 1.84, 95% CI 1.43- 2.34). For PPH≥1000mL, analysis of IPD showed misoprostol and oxytocin were comparable (2022 women, OR 1.14, 95% CI 0.68- 1.91). Of the 69 studies that did not provide IPD, 23 (33.3%) were assessed as trustworthy. Analysis of trustworthy data (IPD and 23 aggregate data RCTs) showed no difference between misoprostol and oxytocin for PPH≥500mL (24,334 women, OR 1.01, 95% CI 0.69- 1.49), while misoprostol significantly increased the risk for PPH≥1000 (25,249 women, OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.16- 1.59). Conclusions: Of 79 RCTs comparing misoprostol and oxytocin for the prevention of PPH, 36.7% met trustworthiness criteria. Analysis of trustworthy data suggests oxytocin is superior to misoprostol for preventing PPH.
28 Oct 2024Submitted to BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
29 Oct 2024Submission Checks Completed
29 Oct 2024Assigned to Editor
29 Oct 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
31 Oct 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned