Weaver co-authors systematic review published in Obstetrics and Gynecology

"Efficacy of Misoprostol Alone for First-Trimester Medical Abortion: A Systematic Review" was electronically published ahead of print on Dec. 4, 2018, in the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Assistant Professor of Statistics Mark Weaver worked with long-time collaborator Dr. Beth Raymond from Gynuity Health Projects in New York City and Dr. Margo Harrison from the University of Colorado to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies investigating the effectiveness and safety of misoprostol used alone for medical abortion in the first trimester of pregnancy.

In their article, “Efficacy of Misoprostol Alone for First-Trimester Medical Abortion: A Systematic Review“, the authors summarize and meta-analyze results that had been previously published in thirty-eight separate manuscripts. The review included both randomized and non-randomized studies, the latter of which included both prospective and retrospective cohort studies and case series. The work was published in the leading journal in its field, Obstetrics and Gynecology (also known as “The Green Journal”).

Current clinical guidelines recommend the serial use of two drugs, mifepristone and misoprostol, for medical termination of early pregnancies. However, due to the cost and often limited availability of mifepristone, there has been interest in evaluating the effectiveness and safety of misoprostol alone as an inexpensive and widely available alternative. Based on the evidence provided, the authors conclude that misoprostol used alone is safe and effective and should be offered as an option for women seeking medical abortion in the first trimester of pregnancy.

The work was funded by the National Institutes of Health (K12HD001271), the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, and Gynuity Health Projects.