Objectives: to evaluate the usefulness of the modified Pregnancy Unique Quantification of Emesis (PUQE) score in monitoring the response to treatment and determining whether hospitalization is necessary for women with Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG).
Methods: A cross-sectional study with a diagnosis of HG was conducted at Assuit University Women's Health Hospital. Two hundred women were admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of HG. The modified PUQE score was recorded on admission and then daily until discharge. The demographic, obstetric, and clinical data of the patients were recorded.
Results: 142/150 of the admitted women for HG had severe emesis by the modified PUQE score. At discharge, two women still had moderate emesis. The modified PUQE score was significantly positively correlated to hematocrit value, serum AST, and potassium levels. Hematocrit was the only independent predictor of a high PUQE score. The score was also positively correlated to the duration of severe nausea and vomiting before admission and negatively correlated to the weight change from pre-pregnancy weight, but this lacked statistical significance. The score on admission was the strongest factor correlated to the days of admission and had a sensitivity of 71% and specificity of 87% in diagnosing the need for admission >5 days.
Conclusion:
The modified PUQE score can be used to assess the need for admission to the hospital and monitor the response to treatment.