Evaluation Of Serum CA-125 Levels In Threatened Abortion Cases And Healthy Pregnant Women: A Prospective Study

Abstract

Background: Threatened abortion is an important issue in daily obstetric practice. Ultrasonography and serial serum quantitative assessment of beta-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropins (β-HCG), cancer antigen -125 (CA-125) and serum progesterone are evaluated alone or in combinations. This study was undertaken in order study the use of CA – 125 in diagnosis of threatened abortion.
Material and Methods: This prospective comparative study was undertaken among 35 cases of threatened abortion and 35 controls who visited OBG department at HSK hospital, Bagalkot. The cases and controls were selected as per inclusion and exclusion criteria. All the cases were subjected for a thorough history, physical examination and ultrasonographic evaluation. CA – 125 levels were assessed by using CLIA technique. The cases were followed up and further divided in to two groups. 1. Those who got aborted at 17-19 weeks (15 cases) and those who continued the pregnancy above 20 weeks (20cases).
Results: The mean CA-125 levels were 15.78 ± 4.68 IU in controls and 47.58 ± 10.6 IU in cases. There was a statistically significant difference. CA-125 values were 45.11 ± 12 IU in aborted cases and 27.26 ± 6.32 IU in pregnancy-continuing cases. The difference between the instances that aborted and those carried on with the pregnancy was statistically significant.
Conclusions: This study had shown that CA-125 levels are significantly elevated and is valuable in diagnosis of threatened abortion cases in comparison to cases who continued the pregnancy.