Impact of antibiotic treatment for chronic endometritis on unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss

J Gynecol Obstet Hum Reprod. 2021 May;50(5):102034. doi: 10.1016/j.jogoh.2020.102034. Epub 2020 Dec 8.

Abstract

Introduction: Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (RPL) affects about 1% of all couples and is likely to cause therapeutic vagrancy and psychological distress. Multiple origins can explain RPL, and recent studies suggest the influence of chronic endometritis. The aim of our study is to evaluate the impact of antibiotic treatment on obstetrical prognosis among patients consulting for RPL with isolated chronic endometritis.

Material and methods: We conducted a monocentric retrospective comparative study. Patients consulting for RPL, with normal etiologic examinations (except for chronic endometritis), were included. In the case of chronic endometritis, patients could receive antibiotic treatment (14 days of doxycycline and metronidazole). Pregnancy outcomes, collected one year after inclusion, were compared between 3 groups: patients without chronic endometritis, patients with treated chronic endometritis, patients with untreated chronic endometritis. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed.

Results: 42 patients were included. 22 patients had chronic endometritis. Groups were comparable in terms of age, BMI, the number of miscarriages, tobacco consumption, AMH, and FSH levels on day 2. In multivariate analysis, a significant improvement of live birth rate was observed among patients treated for chronic endometritis, compared to the no endometritis group (OR 21.4 [1.93-236.70] p = 0.013) and the untreated endometritis group (OR 24.90 [1.64-376.93] p = 0.020).

Conclusion: In our patients examined for RPL, the live birth rate was improved after treatment of chronic endometritis with 14-day antibiotic treatment in comparison to patients with untreated chronic endometritis.

Keywords: Antibiotic treatment; Chronic Endometritis; Early Pregnancy Loss; Implantation Failure; Late Pregnancy Loss; Recurrent Pregnancy Loss.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Abortion, Habitual / etiology*
  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Birth Rate
  • Chronic Disease
  • Doxycycline / therapeutic use
  • Endometritis / complications
  • Endometritis / drug therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Live Birth*
  • Metronidazole / therapeutic use
  • Odds Ratio
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Outcome
  • Prognosis
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Metronidazole
  • Doxycycline