A systematic review identifying outcomes to measure the effect of oxytocin used in treating delay in labour

• Background: Different outcome measures have been used in studies examining the effects of oxytocin used to treat delay in labour. Comparison of study results is thus difficult, and evidence is inconsistent. Aims of review: To identify outcomes, including salutogenic, positive, health-focussed outcomes, used in systematic reviews and randomised trials designed to measure the effectiveness of oxytocin used to treat delay in labour. This review was supported by the European Commission under COST Action:IS0907. Search and review methodology: A comprehensive search strategy was employed, and eight relevant citation databases were searched up to January 2013. randomised trials, and systematic reviews of randomised trials, that measured effectiveness of oxytocin in treating delay in labour were included. Trials comparing different action lines on partograms or active management of labour were excluded. Two reviewers screened a total of 1918 citations identified and data were extracted independently. no results were to be used, therefore no quality assessment of papers was required. five systematic reviews and 26 randomised trials were included. Primary and secondary outcomes were recorded and frequency distributions calculated. Findings: Primary outcomes used most frequently were caesarean section (n=15, 46%), labour length (n=14, 42%), measurements of uterine activity (n=13, 39%) and mode of vaginal birth (n=9, 27%). maternal satisfaction was identified a priori by only one review and included by four papers as a secondary outcome. no further salutogenic or positive health-focussed outcomes were identified. Conclusions: heterogeneous outcomes were used to measure the effectiveness of oxytocin in treating delay in labour. Additional salutogenic, women-centred and health-focussed outcomes should be included in future randomised trials of oxytocin used as a treatment for delayed labour. An improved focus on salutogenesis in childbirth may result, with potential for increased resilience in women. A core outcome dataset, based on evidence and applicable for evaluating the effects of oxytocin in prolonged labour, should be generated to support future research.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Annan medicin och hälsovetenskap -- Övrig annan medicin och hälsovetenskap (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Other Medical and Health Sciences -- Other Medical and Health Sciences not elsewhere specified (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Effectiveness of oxytocin

delay in labour

salutogenesis

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

kon (subject category)