Ho 1997.
Methods | Randomisation schedule as described by Meinert. Schedules were unknown to both patient and clinicans. | |
Participants | 98 pregnant women (group I: 49, group II: 49) Inclusion criteria: good general health, age 16‐35 years, singleton pregnancy, 14‐20 weeks gestation. Exclusion criteria: past or present ill health, nursing mothers, IUD, smoking >10 cigarettes/day. |
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Interventions | All: mifepristone 200 mg 36‐48 hours later: Group I: misoprostol 200 μg orally, and a placebo vaginally every 3 hours, max 5 doses; Group II: misoprostol 200 μg vaginally, and a placebo orally, every 3 hours, max 5 doses. |
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Outcomes | Primary outcome: induction of abortion, abortion within 24 hours. Secondary outcomes: side‐effects, uterine contractions, blood pressure, pulse rate. |
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Notes | Definition of abortion: expulsion of fetus. If the placenta was incomplete or failed to be expelled after 1/2h, an evacuation of the uterus was carried out. No major complications reported. |
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Risk of bias | ||
Bias | Authors' judgement | Support for judgement |
Allocation concealment? | Low risk | A ‐ adequate |
Blinding? All outcomes | Low risk | Blinding of participants and clinicians. |
Free of other bias? | Low risk | No statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of maternal age, gestational age and parity. |