Accuracy of the Manipal Cervical Scoring System for predicting successful induction of labour

Abstract

The Manipal Cervical Scoring System is an accurate and objective sonographic score that predicts the outcome of induced labour. The aim of the current study was to compare the performance of the Manipal Cervical Scoring System against the Bishop Score. A prospective study was conducted on 105 women underwent labour induction in Ain Shams University Hospital, Cairo, Egypt. Both scores were assessed pre-induction. Successful induction occurred in 78.09% of the cases. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was of 0.940 (95% CI = 0.876 to 0.977; p value <.0001) for the Manipal Score and 0.863 (95% CI = 0.783–0.923; p value <.0001) for the Bishop Score. The Manipal Score >5 had a sensitivity of 91.5% and a specificity of 91.3%. While the Bishop score >4 had a sensitivity of 98.8% and specificity of 69.6% to predict the outcome of induced labour. The Manipal Cervical Scoring system is a better objective tool to predict the outcome of labour induction compared to the Bishop Score. However, other female and fetal characteristics, including body mass index (BMI) at gestation, gestational weight gain, occiput position and parity should be taken into consideration when performing labour induction.Impact statementWhat is already known on this subject? The ultimate fate of 20% of women having an induction of labour (IOL) is a Caesarean delivery. Thus, predicting the possible response to IOL before starting induction could guide clinicians to determine the efficacy of starting and/or continuing the induction process and in counselling women regarding the possible response to IOL. The main predictor for IOL outcome is based on the pre-induction cervical status which has been traditionally assessed by the Bishop Score. However, the Bishop Score remains subjective, thereby, associated with high rates of bias and several studies have demonstrated its poor predictive value for the outcome of induction.What do the results of this study add? Proposed use of ultrasound parameters that are equivalent to Bishop Score will be objective, reliable and reproducible method. It allows for patient re-evaluation by other obstetricians without the need for re-examination (thus decreasing exposing the patient to pain and anxiety).What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? According to WHO and FIGO, oral misoprostol (25 μg, 2-hourly) is recommended for induction of labour. This helps to decrease the discomfort of repeated vaginal examination and increases the women satisfaction with labour process, especially in women at higher risk of infection. Thus evaluating cervical status using an ultrasound cervical scoring system can similarly increase women's satisfaction with labour process. Our goal in the upcoming trial is to perform RCT comparing ultrasound versus Bishop in women undergoing IOL using oral misopristol regarding measures of satisfaction during labour in the parturient women.