Maternal serum interleukin 6 and 8 and C-reactive protein in predicting the tocolytic therapy in preterm labor.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the relation between C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL) 6 and 8 with the response to tocolytic therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 75 singleton pregnant women between 18 and 35 years old, and with symptoms of preterm labor were hospitalized in "Shahid Beheshti" hospital in Isfahan, Iran. Tocolysis in patients was performed first with infusion of 4 g of magnesium sulfate 20% and then 2 g per hour continued. Next, they were followed till delivery time to assess the response to the treatment. Baseline data and serum levels of IL-6 and IL-8 and CRP were all recorded. RESULTS: A total of 16 patients with symptoms of preterm labor did not respond to the treatment and delivered prematurely and 59 women responded to tocolytic treatment and delivered at term. There was a significant relationship between serum IL-6, IL-8 and CRP levels with response to the treatment in cut-off > 45 for IL-6 [area under the curve [(AUC), 0.894; SE, 0.042; P-value < 0.0001, >171 for IL-8 (AUC, 0.864; SE, 0.059; P-value < 0.0001)] and >1.8 for CRP (AUC, 0.738; SE, 0.076; P-value = 0.001). Also, pairwise comparison of receiver operating characteristic curves between CRP, IL-6, and IL-8 showed that there were no significant differences between areas for IL-6 with IL-8 (P-value = 0.46); IL-6 with CRP (P-value = 0.086); and IL-8 with CRP (P-value = 0.18). CONCLUSION: Maternal serum concentrations of IL-6 and IL-8 and CRP can be used as appropriate biomarkers for predicting the response to tocolytic therapy in pregnant women and there were no significant differences between these markers in predicting tocolytic therapy.

The use of maternal C-reactive protein in the predicting of preterm labor and tocolytic therapy in preterm labor women.

BACKGROUND: Levels of a number of some biomarkers have been associated with spontaneous preterm birth. This study was aimed to evaluate the relation between C-reactive protein (CRP) with preterm labor and response to tocolytic therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy five pregnant women with symptoms of preterm labor (cases) in compare with 75 term women (controls) were enrolled. Baseline data and CRP was recorded. So, cases were under treatment tocolysis with the use of magnesium sulfate, and then they were followed till delivery time to assess the response to the treatment. RESULTS: Sixteen patients with symptoms of preterm labor did not response to the treatment and delivered prematurely and 59 women response to tocolytic treatment and delivered at term. The curve constructed cut-off value for >3.6 (AUC, 0.683; SE, 0.041; P < 0.0001) for CRP, indicating a significant relationship with preterm labor. Also, there was significant relationship between CRP level with response to the treatment in cut-off >1.8 (AUC, 0.738; SE, 0.076; P = 0.001) for CRP. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal concentrations of CRP can be used as appropriate biomarker for predicting preterm labor and response to tocolytic therapy in pregnant women.