• R Dart, L Dart, M Segal, C Page, and J Brancato.
• Boston Medical Center, Department of Emergency Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, MA 02118, USA. rob23694@aol.com
• Acad Emerg Med. 1998 Apr 1;5(4):304-9.

ObjectiveTo determine the test performance of a single serum progesterone value <5.0 ng/mL for detecting ectopic pregnancy or other abnormal pregnancies in symptomatic ED patients with beta-hCG levels <1,000 mIU/mL.MethodsA prospective study of progesterone levels was performed in consecutive ED patients presenting to an urban teaching hospital from December 1995 to March 1997 with abdominal pain and/or vaginal bleeding, a positive qualitative beta-hCG, and a quantitative beta-hCG value <1,000 mIU/mL. Patients were excluded if they were status-post a dilatation and evacuation procedure, had insufficient serum to run the progesterone assays, or were lost to follow-up. Progesterone values were measured from the original beta-hCG sample. Final patient diagnosis was abstracted from hospital records.Results127 patients met eligibility criteria. 39 patients were excluded, leaving a total of 88 enrolled patients. 76 patients with abnormal pregnancies were identified [9 ectopic pregnancies, 62 abnormal intrauterine pregnancies (IUPs), 5 abnormal IUPs vs ectopic pregnancies], 71 of whom had progesterone values <5.0 ng/mL [sensitivity 71/76 (94%), 95% CI 86-98%]. 12 patients with normal pregnancies were identified, all of whom had progesterone values > or =5.0 ng/mL [specificity 12/12 (100%), 95% CI 78-100%].ConclusionA single progesterone value <5.0 ng/mL has high sensitivity and specificity in detecting abnormal pregnancy in symptomatic ED patients with beta-hCG values <1,000 mIU/mL.

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