Background. Since large randomized clinical trials comparing the effectiven
ess of nifedipine and ritodrine in the suppression of preterm labor are lac
king, we performed a meta-analysis on the subject.
Methods. We searched the databases Medline and EMBASE using the keywords 'n
ifedipine', 'ritodrine' and 'randomized' or 'randomised'. The studies were
scored for blinding, method of randomization and type of analysis ('intenti
on-to-treat' versus 'par protocol'). Subsequently, two by two tables were c
onstructed using 'delay of labor by 48 hours or more', 'delay of labor beyo
nd 36 weeks gestation', perinatal mortality, respiratory distress syndrome
and admission to a neonatal intensive care unit as end points. Homogeneity
between the studies was tested with a Breslow-Day test. Pooled odds ratios
were calculated in case homogeneity could not be rejected.
Results. We could detect ten studies that were published between 1986 and 1
998, incorporating data of 681 patients. Nifedipine reduced the risk of del
ivery within 48 hours compared to ritodrine, but this difference was not st
atistically significant (odds ratio 0.85, 95% confidence interval 0.54 to 1
.1). Nifedipine also reduced the risk of delivery before 36 weeks compared
to ritodrine, and this difference was statistically significant (odds ratio
0.59, 95% confidence interval 0.39 to 0.90). We are not aware of studies r
eporting on long-term outcome.
Conclusion. Since studies reporting on long-term outcome are lacking, the c
hoice between nifedipine and ritodrine can only be based on obstetrical and
short-term neonatal outcomes. From that perspective, nifedipine should be
the drug of first choice for the suppression of preterm labor.