In this issue of Contraception, Reynolds-Wright et al. published their findings from a Cochrane systematic review
examining the effectiveness of different pain management strategies for people undergoing
medication abortion up to 14 weeks gestation [
[1]
]. The topic is highly relevant to patients, providers, and policy makers and had been
identified by a diverse group of global community stakeholders to be prioritized for
a Cochrane Systematic Review [
Reynolds-Wright J, Woldetsadik M, Morroni C, Cameron S. Pain management for medication abortion before 14 weeks' gestation. Contraception 2002; Article in press. https://www.contraceptionjournal.org/article/S0010-7824(22)00226-8/fulltext.
[2]
]. Annually 73 million people globally have an abortion with either use of medications
or a procedure [
Cochrane Fertility Regulation. Abortion prioritization 2019. downloaded 9.16.2022 www.fertility-regulation.cochrane.org/projects/abortion-prioritization.
[3]
]. The World Health Organization recognizes comprehensive abortion care as an essential
health service, and pain management is a component of quality abortion care [
[4]
]. However, current evidence is unclear as to what pain management strategy works best.
Systematic reviews play a critical role for important clinical or policy topics such
as this when alone each individual study is underpowered, a definitive trial is not
feasible, or evidence may be conflicting. Additionally, systematic reviews can methodically
identify gaps in the existing evidence-base to improve future research.The World Health Organization. Abortion care guidelines. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2022. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240039483 downloaded 9/16/2022.
Keywords
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References
Reynolds-Wright J, Woldetsadik M, Morroni C, Cameron S. Pain management for medication abortion before 14 weeks' gestation. Contraception 2002; Article in press. https://www.contraceptionjournal.org/article/S0010-7824(22)00226-8/fulltext.
Cochrane Fertility Regulation. Abortion prioritization 2019. downloaded 9.16.2022 www.fertility-regulation.cochrane.org/projects/abortion-prioritization.
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: August 29, 2022
Accepted:
May 6,
2022
Received in revised form:
May 4,
2022
Received:
March 2,
2022
Footnotes
Conflicts of interest: The author/s declares/declare no conflicts of interest.
Identification
Copyright
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