Rapid fetal fibronectin (fFN) testing to predict pre-term birth in women with symptoms of premature labour: A systematic review and cost-effectiveness analysis

Deshpande S, van Asselt A, Tomini F, Armstrong N, Allen A, Noake C, Khan K, Severens J, Kleijnen J, Westwood M
Record ID 32012000531
English
Authors' objectives: To assess the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of rapid fFN testing in predicting preterm birth (PTB) in symptomatic women.
Authors' recommendations: Fetal fibronectin testing has moderate accuracy for predicting PTB. The main potential role is likely to be reducing health-care resource usage by identifying women not requiring intervention. Evidence from RCTs suggests that fFN does not increase adverse outcomes and may reduce resource use. The base-case analysis showed a modest cost difference in favour of fFN testing, which is largely dependent on whether or not fFN testing reduces hospital admission. Currently, there are no high-quality studies and the existing trials were generally underpowered. Hence, there is a need for high-quality adequately powered trials using appropriate study designs to confirm the findings presented.
Details
Project Status: Completed
Year Published: 2013
URL for published report: http://www.journalslibrary.nihr.ac.uk/hta/hta17400/#/abstract
URL for additional information: http://www.journalslibrary.nihr.ac.uk/hta/volume-17/issue-40
English language abstract: An English language summary is available
Publication Type: Not Assigned
Country: England, United Kingdom
MeSH Terms
  • Humans
  • Fibronectins
  • Obstetric Labor, Premature
  • Pregnancy
  • Prenatal Diagnosis
Contact
Organisation Name: NIHR Health Technology Assessment programme
Contact Address: NIHR Journals Library, National Institute for Health and Care Research, Evaluation, Trials and Studies Coordinating Centre, Alpha House, University of Southampton Science Park, Southampton SO16 7NS, UK
Contact Name: journals.library@nihr.ac.uk
Contact Email: journals.library@nihr.ac.uk
Copyright: 2013 Queen's Printer and Controller of HMSO
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