Evaluation of placental alpha microglobulin-1(PAMG1) accuracy for prediction of preterm delivery in women with the symptoms of spontaneous preterm labor; a comparison with cervical length and number of contractions

Abstract

Introduction: Since the capacity of tertiary centers is limited, identifying women with the risk of preterm delivery is crucial amongst women who refer to hospitals with threatened preterm labor. Objective: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the accuracy of the placental alpha microglobulin-1 (PAMG-1) test for identifying women who referred to hospitals with signs of spontaneous preterm labor and ultimately delivered within ≤48 h and ≤7 of testing and ≤37 weeks of gestation and its comparison with cervical length of p < .0001), ≤7 days (p < .0001), and before 37 weeks (p < .0001), compared to the women who had a negative test. For delivery within ≤48 h, ≤7 days and ≤37 weeks, specificity (SP) of the PAMG-1; was statistically higher than cervical length of <25 mm and contractions of 12–17/hr but not contractions of ≥18/hr. PAMG-1 showed a higher accuracy rate than cervical length of <25 mm, contractions of 12–17/hr and contractions of ≥18/hr for deliveries within ≤48 h (78.9, 55.3, 48.9, and 69.44%, respectively) and ≤7 days (76.1, 55.32, 55, and 65.56%, respectively). For deliveries before 37 weeks; the PAMG-1 test showed higher LR + than CL of <25 mm, contractions of 12–17/hr and contractions of ≥18/hr [10.24 (2.57–40.86), 2.01 (1.24–3.23), 1.30 (1.05–1.62), and 5.12 (1.24–21.11), respectively]. PPV for deliveries within ≤48 h and ≤7 days for PAMG-1 was greater than cervical length of <25 mm and number of contractions, however, NPV did not show a significant difference. Conclusion: PAMG-1 test showed a higher accuracy rate for prediction of delivery within ≤48 and ≤7 days in comparison with cervical length of <25 mm and number of contractions. Also, PAMG-1 test had a higher positive likelihood ratio for deliveries at ≤37 weeks. PPV for deliveries within ≤48 h and ≤7 days for PAMG-1 was greater than cervical length of <25 mm and number of contractions, however, NPV did not show a significant difference.