KR102482468B1 - Methods for providing information about preterm birth and device using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present specification relates to a method for providing information on premature birth prediction implemented by a processor, which includes receiving an elastic ultrasound index for the cervix of an object, calculating a predictive index based on the received elastic ultrasound index, and calculating It provides a method for providing information on premature birth, including determining a treatment response to an anti-premature drug of an individual based on the predictive index.

Description

Method for providing information on premature birth and device applying the same

The present invention relates to a method for providing information on premature birth, and more particularly, to a method for determining a treatment response to an anti-premature birth drug, predicting and providing premature birth based thereon, and a device to which the same is applied.

Premature birth is delivery between the 20th and 37th weeks of pregnancy. The causes of premature birth include early labor, family history, hereditary history such as racial differences, smoking, drug intake, age of the pregnant woman, recurrence of premature birth, and multiple pregnancies. , uterine abnormalities, and amniotic fluid infection. Among them, the main cause of premature birth is premature labor, which accounts for about 40 to 60% of all premature births.

Furthermore, preterm labor can have adverse effects on the health of pregnant women and their fetus, and preterm labor occurred in 11.4% of normal pregnant women, whereas among pregnant women who had been hospitalized for preterm labor, premature labor occurred in 68.6% of cases. % is high.

As a method for preventing such premature birth, progesterone treatment is mainly used. More specifically, progesterone is an important hormone for maintaining pregnancy, and suppresses uterine contraction through inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis, reduction of prostaglandin production, and inhibition of gap junction production in the uterine muscle layer, and uterine- Improves placental blood circulation to maintain pregnancy. In other words, because progesterone inhibits uterine contraction, miscarriage or premature birth can be prevented and prevented.

However, progesterone treatment has a preventive effect in high-risk preterm singleton pregnancies, but no preventive effect has been demonstrated in multiple pregnancies, preterm toxemia, and preterm pregnancies due to fetal growth restriction. Accordingly, the American Academy of Obstetrics and Gynecology is currently actively recommending progesterone treatment to prevent premature birth in singleton pregnant women who have had spontaneous preterm labor such as preterm labor or premature rupture of the membranes in previous pregnancies or who have a short cervix.

On the other hand, if the length of the cervix is short, a surgical method such as a circular cervical ligature may be performed other than progesterone treatment. More specifically, the uterine cervix plays a role in maintaining pregnancy until the fetus matures in the belly of the pregnant woman. If the cervix does not function properly and is prematurely softened, dilatated, and shortened, it may lead to premature birth.

Therefore, in the case of a pregnant woman with a short cervix due to shortening of the cervix, progesterone treatment may be performed to prevent premature birth, but progesterone treatment is not always effective and other surgical methods such as cervical ligature should be performed as soon as possible.

Furthermore, an observation method using ultrasound and a uterine muscle contraction measurement system is used in predicting premature birth and treatment effect of pregnant women when the length of the cervix is short. However, the above-described method has a large variance depending on the clinician and has a low positive predictive value, thereby causing excessive anxiety to pregnant women and causing premature birth, but increasing unnecessary medical treatment and hospitalization, resulting in an increase in medical costs. Therefore, in selecting treatment for preventing premature birth, it may be important to select an effective treatment for pregnant women, and there is a need for a method for predicting this and quickly performing treatment and selection of treatment.

The background description of the invention has been prepared to facilitate understanding of the present invention. It should not be construed as an admission that matters described in the background art of the invention exist as prior art.

The cervix is composed of connective tissue and a small amount of smooth muscle as a structure in which collagen is woven into several layers, and softening, dilatation, and shortening are performed during childbirth. The performance of the cervix occurs with an increase in elasticity due to microstructural changes such as increased hydration, ie destruction and rearrangement of the collagen layer.

Therefore, by measuring the structure of the cervix, that is, changes in elasticity, it is possible to predict childbirth and even premature birth. Furthermore, vaginal ultrasound is used to measure the change in elasticity of the cervix, but it is difficult to accurately measure the change in elasticity of the cervix with vaginal ultrasound, so subjective evaluation of hardness, softness, and moderate degree of seismic resistance depends on the feeling of the examiner's hand. run in parallel

However, since such conventional evaluation of elasticity of the cervix is based on the subjective intuition or experience of the examiner, it may not be objective or consistent, and the burden of earthquake resistance may be added to patients.

Accordingly, the inventors of the present invention paid attention to elastography in evaluating the cervix. More specifically, the elasticity imaging method represents the elasticity of an object as an image, and the elasticity of the object is related to pathological phenomena of the object. For example, tumor tissue is harder than normal tissue. That is, since the elasticity of the tumor is less than that of the normal tissue, when the same force is applied to the normal tissue and the tumor, the strain of the normal tissue is greater than that of the tumor. Therefore, elastography is used for diagnosing tumors or cancers.

Therefore, the inventors of the present invention recognized that changes in elasticity of the cervix during childbirth can also be measured through an elastic imaging method, and tried to predict premature birth through this.

Furthermore, the inventors of the present invention found that although progesterone treatment is an effective anti-preterm birth drug for single-birth pregnant women with a short cervical length, the clinical treatment response is not effective for all pregnant women due to significant differences between pregnant women, It was noted that it had a success rate of preterm birth prevention as low as 35%. That is, the inventors of the present invention recognized that the success rate of preterm birth prevention of progesterone treatment is low as there is no effective evaluation method for the treatment effect before progesterone treatment. Accordingly, the inventors of the present invention tried to solve this problem through elastic imaging, as it may be important to prevent preterm birth by predicting it early and administering more effective treatment to the pregnant woman.

As a result, the inventors of the present invention developed a method for predicting and diagnosing premature birth with high specificity and negative predictive value in pregnant women with a short cervical length through elastography.

Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to calculate a predictive index using the elastography index for the cervix of the subject measured through the elastography method, and based on the calculated predictive index, the subject's preterm birth prevention drug, that is, , To provide a method for providing information on premature birth, and a device using the same, configured to determine a therapeutic response to progesterone treatment.

The tasks of the present invention are not limited to the tasks mentioned above, and other tasks not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention relates to a method for providing information on premature birth prediction implemented by a processor, comprising the steps of receiving an ultrasound elastography parameter for the cervix of an object, Provided is a method for providing information on premature birth, including calculating a predictive index based on an elastic ultrasound index, and determining a treatment response of an individual to an anti-preterm birth drug based on the calculated predictive index.

According to the features of the present invention, the elastography index is an elastography index for the cervix measured after 7 days of oral antipreterm drug treatment, and includes internal os strain (IOS) and external os strain (external os strain, EOS), hardness ratio, and elasticity contrast index (ECI), but is not limited thereto, and may include all of various indicators that can be measured from an elastic ultrasound device. there is.

According to another feature of the present invention, the receiving step in the method for providing information on premature birth according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include receiving a bishop score index for the cervix of the subject. In this case, the Bishop score index is a Bishop score index measured before preterm birth drug treatment, and may include at least one of cervix length (CL) and cervical dilatation (funneling sign), but is limited thereto It is not. Furthermore, the Bishop score indicator may be an indicator measured by an elastic ultrasound device, but is not limited thereto, and may include all of various indicators measured by other imaging equipment or stored in a hospital server.

According to another feature of the present invention, the anti-premature drug may be, but is not limited to, progesterone, various pharmaceutical compositions that are not harmful to the pregnant woman and the fetus, and can prevent premature birth by affecting the elasticity of the cervix. may include all.

According to another feature of the present invention, calculating the predictive index in the information providing method for premature birth according to an embodiment of the present invention may be performed by applying Equation 1 below by a processor.

[Equation 1]

Here, a and b are rational numbers with 2 decimal places between 1 and 1.5, c is a rational number with 2 decimal places between 0.1 and 0.5, and d is a rational number with 2 decimal places between 1 and 2. However, preferably, a is 1.39, b is 1.24, c is 0.20, and d may be 1.33, but is not limited thereto.

Furthermore, PP1 EOS is the ectopic deformity measured at 1 week after progesterone treatment, cervix length is the length of the cervix measured before progesterone treatment, and funneling is the result of cervical dilatation measured before progesterone treatment. means

At this time, the cut-off of the aforementioned Equation 1 may be between 0.1 and 0.3, and when the resultant value for Equation 1 is greater than or equal to the critical value, the treatment response to the drug to prevent premature birth of the subject may be determined as negative. .

More specifically, according to another feature of the present invention, the step of evaluating the treatment response to the drug for preventing premature birth in the method for providing information on premature birth according to an embodiment of the present invention, the calculated predictive index is at a predetermined level If so, determining that the subject has a negative treatment response to the anti-preterm birth drug.

Furthermore, according to another feature of the present invention, the step of evaluating the treatment response to the drug for preventing premature birth in the method for providing information on premature birth according to an embodiment of the present invention, the treatment response to the drug for preventing premature birth is determined by the subject. In the case of negative, a step of determining that a spontaneous preterm delivery of less than 32 weeks (spontuneous preterm delivery, sPTD) is high may be further included.

Meanwhile, in order to solve the above problems, the present invention includes a receiving unit configured to receive an elastic ultrasound index for the cervix of an object, and a processor connected to the receiving unit, the processor configured to: based on the received elastic ultrasound index Provided is a device for providing information about premature birth, configured to calculate a predictive index and determine a treatment response of an individual to an anti-preterm birth drug based on the calculated predictive index.

According to a feature of the present invention, the elastography index is an elastography index for the cervix measured after 1 week of antipreterm drug treatment, and includes internal os strain (IOS) and external os strain (external os strain, EOS), hardness ratio, and elasticity contrast index (ECI), but are not limited thereto.

According to another feature of the present invention, the receiver of the device for providing information on premature birth according to an embodiment of the present invention may further receive a bishop score index for the cervix of the object, the bishop score at this time. The index is a Bishop score index measured before preterm birth drug treatment, and may include at least one of cervix length (CL) and cervical dilatation (funneling sign), but is not limited thereto.

According to another feature of the present invention, the anti-preterm birth drug may be progesterone, but is not limited thereto.

According to another feature of the present invention, the processor of the device for providing information on premature birth according to an embodiment of the present invention, when the calculated predictive indicator is equal to or greater than a predetermined level, the treatment response to the anti-premature drug of the subject is negative. can be configured to determine

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail through examples. However, since these examples are merely intended to illustrate the present invention by way of example, the scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited by these examples.

The present invention provides an elastography index for the cervix of an individual and, furthermore, a Bishop score index, and provides a treatment response to an anti-premature birth drug based on the received data, thereby quickly detecting premature birth of the individual and providing information related thereto. can be presented objectively.

Furthermore, the present invention provides feedback to the user, that is, the subject, the guardian and medical staff of the subject, when the treatment response to the anti-prematurity drug and the possibility and period of premature birth are confirmed, thereby providing rapid medical treatment for the subject's premature birth. action can be taken.

In addition, according to the present invention can predict the treatment effect on the subject in advance, it is possible to select an effective prevention and preventive treatment that is more optimized for the subject. More specifically, since progesterone treatment may not be effective for all pregnant women, additional surgical methods such as constriction may be considered. However, this surgical method may cause side effects such as bleeding, intrauterine infection, cervical injury, bladder damage, and premature birth due to premature rupture of membranes, which may increase the psychological and cost burden on pregnant women.

Therefore, the present invention accurately predicts the responsiveness of drug treatment, and when progesterone is performed by selecting a pregnant woman (patient group) for which treatment can be effective, the success rate of progesterone treatment increases, and the burden of the pregnant woman can be reduced accordingly. .

Furthermore, the present invention can reduce the process of unnecessary medication, additional surgical treatment, examination and hospitalization by the above-mentioned effects, thereby reducing the psychological burden on the patient, anxiety and medical expenses accordingly.

Effects according to the present invention are not limited by the contents exemplified above, and more various effects are included in the present specification.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a system based on an information providing method for premature birth and a device using the same according to an embodiment of the present invention by way of example.
2 is a schematic diagram of elastic ultrasound in a method for providing information on premature birth according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a device for providing information on premature birth according to an embodiment of the present invention by way of example.
4a to 4b are schematic diagrams exemplarily showing changes in the cervix according to progesterone treatment in a method for providing information on premature birth according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 is a flow chart of a method for providing information on premature birth according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a schematic diagram exemplarily illustrating cohort selection in the method for providing information on premature birth according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 shows comparison results of cervical elastography indexes between progesterone responders (PR) and non-responders (NR) groups according to treatment period.
8 shows the odds ratio and 95% confidence interval (CI) results of the non-responder results in relation to the elastography index according to the treatment period.
Figures 9a to 9b shows the results of premature birth predictive power in the information providing method for premature birth according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Advantages and features of the present invention, and methods of achieving them, will become clear with reference to the detailed description of the following embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and will be implemented in various forms different from each other, only these embodiments make the disclosure of the present invention complete, and common knowledge in the art to which the present invention pertains. It is provided to completely inform the person who has the scope of the invention, and the present invention is only defined by the scope of the claims. In connection with the description of the drawings, like reference numerals may be used for like elements.

In this document, expressions such as "has," "may have," "includes," or "may include" indicate the existence of a corresponding feature (eg, numerical value, function, operation, or component such as a part). , which does not preclude the existence of additional features.

In this document, expressions such as “A or B,” “at least one of A and/and B,” or “one or more of A or/and B” may include all possible combinations of the items listed together. . For example, “A or B,” “at least one of A and B,” or “at least one of A or B” (1) includes at least one A, (2) includes at least one B, Or (3) may refer to all cases including at least one A and at least one B.

Expressions such as “first,” “second,” “first,” or “second,” used in this document may modify various elements, regardless of order and/or importance, and refer to one element as It is used only to distinguish it from other components and does not limit the corresponding components. For example, a first user device and a second user device may represent different user devices regardless of order or importance. For example, without departing from the scope of rights described in this document, a first element may be named a second element, and similarly, the second element may also be renamed to the first element.

A component (e.g., a first component) is "(operatively or communicatively) coupled with/to" another component (e.g., a second component); When referred to as "connected to", it should be understood that the certain component may be directly connected to the other component or connected through another component (eg, a third component). On the other hand, when an element (eg, a first element) is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly connected” to another element (eg, a second element), the element and the above It may be understood that other components (eg, a third component) do not exist between the other components.

As used in this document, the expression "configured to" means "suitable for," "having the capacity to," depending on the circumstances. ," "designed to," "adapted to," "made to," or "capable of." The term "configured (or set) to" may not necessarily mean only "specifically designed to" hardware. Instead, in some contexts, the phrase "device configured to" may mean that the device is "capable of" in conjunction with other devices or components. For example, the phrase "a processor configured (or configured) to perform A, B, and C" may include a dedicated processor (e.g., embedded processor) to perform those operations, or by executing one or more software programs stored in a memory device. , may mean a general-purpose processor (eg, CPU or application processor) capable of performing corresponding operations.

Terms used in this document are only used to describe a specific embodiment, and may not be intended to limit the scope of other embodiments. Singular expressions may include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, may have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art described in this document. Among the terms used in this document, terms defined in a general dictionary may be interpreted as having the same or similar meaning as the meaning in the context of the related art, and unless explicitly defined in this document, an ideal or excessively formal meaning. not be interpreted as In some cases, even terms defined in this document cannot be interpreted to exclude the embodiments of this document.

Each feature of the various embodiments of the present invention can be partially or entirely combined or combined with each other, and as those skilled in the art can fully understand, various interlocking and driving operations are possible, and each embodiment can be implemented independently of each other. It may be possible to implement together in an association relationship.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4b, a system including a method for providing information on premature birth according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

Referring to Figure 1, a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a system based on a method for providing information on premature birth and a device using the same according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. At this time, for convenience of description, it will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 4B.

A system for providing information on premature birth 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a device 100 for providing information on premature birth, an object 200, an elastic ultrasound device 300, and a user device 500.

At this time, the device 100 for providing information on premature birth, the elastic ultrasound apparatus 300, and the user device 500 may transmit and receive various information through wired/wireless communication. More specifically, the information providing device 100, the elastic ultrasound apparatus 300, and the user device 500 may communicate through wired transmission and reception by being directly connected with a cable, but preferably, the cable is omitted and the wireless transmission and reception is performed. can communicate with Accordingly, the device 100 for providing information on premature birth, the elastic ultrasound device 300, and the user device 500 may be connected to a network for wireless communication, and the network is a local area network (LAN) and It may be a closed network such as WAN (Wide Area Network) or an open network such as Internet, Bluetooth, NFC (Near Field Communication), RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification), Wi-Fi and/or short-distance wireless communication such as Zigbee, but is not limited thereto.

On the other hand, the object 200 may refer to all subjects to predict the treatment response to premature birth or premature birth prevention drug treatment. For example, the subject 200 may be a subject suspected of premature birth, and may be a human or any mammal other than a human, but is not limited thereto. For example, a subject may have a preterm birth due to risk factors, such as a history of preterm birth, short cervical length, multiple pregnancies, advanced pregnancy, infectious diseases, chronic diseases, debilitating mental health conditions, genetic factors, smoking, alcohol, drug abuse, and the like. As suspected subjects at this risk, they may be those in need of prompt preterm prophylactic treatment. Accordingly, the object 200 may be a subject requiring surgical treatment such as preterm birth prevention treatment, ie, progesterone treatment or circular fixation. That is, the object 200 may include a target for quickly preventing premature birth by predicting a treatment response for premature birth and premature birth through the method for providing information on premature birth according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Furthermore, the elastic ultrasound device 300 may be a device capable of displaying the cervix of the object 200 described above as an elastic ultrasound image and an index 310 therefor. Elastography images can be largely divided into strain elsatohraphy and shear wave elastography according to a force generation method for measuring elasticity.

In this case, deformed elastic imaging is a method in which the examiner directly applies pressure to the part to be evaluated and compares the degree of compression with the surrounding normal tissue to evaluate. However, in the case of the deformed elastic image described above, since the pressing force varies from examiner to examiner, there are many variations, and thus it is not objective. Furthermore, since the result of such a deformed elastic image is shown through a color change where pressure is applied, it is not easy to use this method in a clinic that prefers a numerical result because only qualitative evaluation is possible.

On the other hand, shear wave elastography generates a certain degree of transverse wave, and when the tissue is shaken up and down as the transverse wave moves through the tissue, the degree of vertical movement varies according to the degree of stiffness of the tissue. way to evaluate Therefore, shear wave elasticity imaging can evaluate elasticity quantitatively, not qualitatively, without being affected by force or techniques that vary depending on the inspector.

Accordingly, in the system 1000 including the method for providing information on preterm birth according to an embodiment of the present invention, elasticity was measured by compressing the cervix with a standardized force of a shear wave method.

More specifically, referring to FIG. 2 , a schematic diagram of elastic ultrasound in a method for providing information on premature birth according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. First, referring to FIG. 2(a) , the elastic ultrasound device 300 in the system 1000 including the method for providing information on premature birth according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an abdominal cavity such as the uterus, cervix, and vagina. The degree of elasticity of the cervix can be measured by using the pulsating pressure generated from the peripheral blood vessels 30 of the female reproductive organ 10 as shear waves. The pressure from the blood vessels may be a more uniform and objective index than the pressure from the examiner's hand, and thus, the elasticity of the cervix may be measured with a standardized force caused by the pulsation of internal blood vessels, rather than subjective force by the examiner. there is.

Furthermore, the elastic ultrasound device 300 may generate elastic ultrasound indexes through, for example, 51 images generated for 3 seconds instead of obtaining one image through the above-described method. Thus, the elastic ultrasound device 300 in the system 1000 including the method for providing information on premature birth according to an embodiment of the present invention can reduce errors in indicators measured based on a plurality of images, thereby reducing the error of the conventional elastic ultrasound device. It is possible to obtain more consistent images and their indexes than the degree examination.

Therefore, referring to (b) of FIG. 2 , the elastic ultrasound device 300 in the system 1000 including the method for providing information on premature birth according to an embodiment of the present invention is a standardized uterus by the above-described method. An elastic image of the neck may be displayed, and an elastic ultrasound index 50 may be displayed quantitatively. That is, the elastic ultrasound device 300 can measure more objective and accurate elastic ultrasound indexes through the above-described standardized force and a plurality of images, and thus the accuracy and accuracy of the method for providing information on premature birth according to an embodiment of the present invention. Sensitivity can be improved.

Again, referring to FIG. 1 , the object 200 may observe the female reproductive organ, preferably the cervix, in the abdominal cavity of the object 200 through the elastic ultrasound device 300, and the observed result, that is, the object The elastography image of 200 and the index 310 corresponding thereto may be transmitted to the device 100 for providing information on premature birth.

At this time, the elastography image and the index 310 for the same include internal os strain (IOS), external os strain (EOS), hardness ratio, and elasticity contrast index (IOS). ECI), but is not limited thereto, and as described above, indicators of various organs that can be measured in the female reproductive system in the abdominal cavity of the subject 200 may be included. For example, the elastography device 300 may measure a bishop score index for the cervix of the object 200, as well as the elastography image and the index 310 for the elastography image described above. It can be delivered to the device 100 for providing information about. In this case, the Bishop score index may include at least one of a cervix length (CL) and a funneling sign of the cervix, but is not limited thereto.

On the other hand, the device 100 for providing information on prematurity receives the elastography image of the object 200 measured by the elastography device 300 and the index 310 corresponding thereto, that is, the elastography parameter (ultrasound elastography parameter), , It may be configured to determine the treatment response of the subject 200 to the anti-preterm birth drug based on this, and provide it to the user device 500.

More specifically, referring to FIG. 3, FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a device for providing information on premature birth according to an embodiment of the present invention by way of example. Device for providing information on premature birth 100 may include a communication unit 110, an input unit 120, an output unit 130, a storage unit 140 and a processor 150.

First, the communication unit 110 may be configured to receive an elastic ultrasound index and a bishop score index for the object 200 measured from the elastic ultrasound device 300 . Furthermore, the communication unit 110 may be further configured to transmit, to the user device 500, information on a treatment response to an anti-prematurity drug for the subject 200 determined by the processor 150 to be described later.

The input unit 120 is not limited to a keyboard, a mouse, or a touch screen panel. The input unit 120 may set the device 100 for providing information about premature birth, and instruct the operation of the device 100 for providing information about premature birth.

The output unit 130 may display elastic ultrasound indicators and bishop score indicators for various objects 200 received by the communication unit 110 . Furthermore, the output unit 130 may display information on the treatment response to the drug for preventing premature birth determined by the processor 150 .

The storage unit 140 will be configured to store various information about the object 200 received through the communication unit 110, and to store the instructions of the device 100 for providing information on premature birth set through the input unit 120. can Furthermore, the storage unit 140 may be configured to store information about premature birth of the object 200 generated by the processor 150 to be described later, but is not limited thereto, and various information determined by the processor 150 can save them. For example, the storage unit 140 is a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (eg SD or XD memory, etc.), RAM, SRAM, ROM, EEPROM, PROM, magnetic memory , a magnetic disk, and an optical disk, but may include at least one type of storage medium, but is not limited thereto. Further, the device for providing information about premature birth 100 may operate in relation to the web storage (web storage) performing the storage function of the storage unit on the Internet (internet).

The processor 150 is operatively connected to the communication unit 110, the input unit 120, the output unit 130, and the storage unit 140 of the device 100 for providing information on premature birth, and the premature birth of the object 200 It is possible to perform various commands for determining and providing various information about .

More specifically, the processor 150 receives the elastic ultrasound index and the bishop score index through the communication unit 110, calculates a prediction index based on at least one of the received elastic ultrasound index and the bishop score index, and calculates the prediction index. Based on the indicator, a treatment response to the drug for preventing premature birth of the individual may be determined, and the determined treatment response for the drug for preventing premature birth may be provided to the user device 500 through the communication unit 110 .

In this case, the processor 150 may perform the calculation by applying Equation 1 below in the process of calculating the predictive indicator.

[Equation 1]

Here, a and b are rational numbers with 2 decimal places between 1 and 1.5, c is a rational number with 2 decimal places between 0.1 and 0.5, and d is a rational number with 2 decimal places between 1 and 2. However, preferably, a is 1.39, b is 1.24, c is 0.20, and d may be 1.33, but is not limited thereto.

Furthermore, PP1 EOS is the ectopic deformity measured at 1 week after progesterone treatment, cervix length is the length of the cervix measured before progesterone treatment, and funneling is the result of cervical dilatation measured before progesterone treatment. means

Furthermore, the cut-off of Equation 1 described above may be between 0.1 and 0.3, but is not limited thereto, and may be variously set according to the size and type of the target group. Furthermore, when the resultant value of Equation 1 is equal to or greater than a critical value, the subject's treatment response to the anti-premature drug may be determined as negative.

Moreover, the processor 150 determines that the predictive index calculated by Equation 1 above has a result of a threshold value or higher, and accordingly, when the subject is determined to be negative, the subject is classified as a spontaneous preterm delivery (sPTD) of less than 32 weeks. can be determined as high.

After all, the processor 150 of the device 100 for providing information on premature birth according to an embodiment of the present invention first predicts indexes based on the elastic ultrasound indexes for the cervix of the object received through the communication unit 110. can be calculated. Furthermore, the processor 150 may further receive a bishop score index for the cervix of the object through the communication unit 110 to calculate a more accurate predictive index. Next, the processor 150 may determine a treatment response to the drug for preventing premature birth of the individual based on the predictive index calculated by the above-described process. Then, the treatment response of the determined subject to the anti-premature drug may be transmitted to the user through the communication unit 110 again.

Accordingly, referring to FIG. 1 again, the device 100 for providing information on premature birth is based on the elastic ultrasound index and the Bishop score index for the cervix of the object 200 received from the elastic ultrasound device 300, Furthermore, the treatment response to the premature birth prevention drug of the subject 200 may be determined and provided to the user device 500 .

In this case, the user device 500 may be a user device that receives information about premature birth from the device 100 for providing information about premature birth. More specifically, the user device 500 may display an interface screen displaying information on premature birth received from the device 100 for providing information on premature birth, that is, a treatment response result 510 to an anti-premature birth drug. The user device 500 may be a smartphone, tablet, PC, wearable device, PC or smart TV, LED SIGN, etc. with an application, program, widget, or web browser installed to provide information on premature birth, but is not limited thereto. .

As a result, the device 100 for providing information on premature birth may provide various information on premature birth determined based on data on the cervix of various objects 200 measured through the elastic ultrasound device 300 .

For example, referring to FIG. 4A , in the system 1000 including the method for providing information on preterm birth according to an embodiment of the present invention, first, for the object 200 measured through the elastic ultrasound device 300 When the elasticity of the cervix increases and the cervix becomes soft, it is determined that the subject 200 is highly likely to progress to preterm birth, and it is determined to perform treatment with an anti-premature birth drug.

Then, after progesterone treatment, the elasticity change of the cervix of the object 200 is measured again through the elastic ultrasound device 300 to determine the treatment response of the object 200 to the anti-preterm birth drug, and furthermore, The possibility of premature birth can be re-determined. More specifically, referring to FIG. 4B , when the treatment response to the anti-preterm birth drug, that is, progesterone is positive, the measured elasticity of the cervix of the subject 200 is shown to decrease, and when the treatment response is negative It appears that the elasticity of the cervix of the measured object 200 increases. Accordingly, in the method for providing information on premature birth according to an embodiment of the present invention, a treatment response to an anti-premature birth drug may be determined through elastography measurement after treatment.

Next, referring again to FIG. 4A , if the treatment response is positive, it can be predicted that the subject 200 will be able to deliver at full term as the treatment for the anti-preterm birth drug is effective. Furthermore, if the treatment response is negative, since the treatment for the anti-premature drug is not effective, it can be predicted that the subject 200 is highly likely to lead to premature birth rather than normal full-term delivery, and accordingly, other anti-premature treatment can be performed.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 5, a procedure of a method for providing information on premature birth according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

Figure 5 is a flow chart of a method for providing information on premature birth according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5 , the method for providing information on premature birth includes receiving an elastic ultrasound index for the cervix of an object (S510), calculating a predictive index based on the received elastic ultrasound index (S520), and calculating the predicted prediction. Determining the treatment response of the individual to the anti-premature drug based on the index (S530), and providing the determined therapeutic response of the individual to the anti-premature drug (S540).

First, in the step of receiving the elastography index of the cervix of the object (S510), the elastography index is internal os strain (IOS), external os strain (EOS), and hardness ratio ) and elasticity contrast index (ECI), but is not limited thereto, and preferably, it may be an extrauterine strain.

At this time, the elastic ultrasound index may refer to an index after the subject has received treatment for an anti-preterm birth drug, that is, progesterone treatment, preferably at least one period between 5 and 10 days after the treatment, more preferably More specifically, it may refer to an index measured after 7 days of treatment.

Furthermore, in the step of receiving the elastic ultrasound index of the cervix of the subject (S510), a bishop score index for the cervix may be further received as well as the elastic ultrasound index.

At this time, the Bishop score is a digitized scale to know the progress of childbirth, including the length of the cervix. More specifically, the condition of the cervix (position, degree of loss, degree of dilatation) and the position of the fetus (high, low) can be combined and expressed as a number from 0 to 13, and the lower the score, the higher the probability of childbirth or premature birth. that can mean In the method for providing information on premature birth according to an embodiment of the present invention, indicators for calculating the Bishop score may be received, and preferably, the cervix length (CL) and the expansion of the cervix (funneling sign) may be received. At least one of them may be received. In this case, the Bishop score indicator may refer to an indicator before the individual receives treatment for an anti-preterm birth drug, that is, progesterone treatment.

In addition, the elastic ultrasound index and Bishop score index received in the step of receiving the elastic ultrasound index for the cervix of the subject (S510) may be data received from the elastic ultrasound device, but are not limited thereto. For example, the Bishop score index, ie, cervical length and cervical dilatation, may be data generated from an elastic ultrasound device, but are not limited thereto, and may be data measured from various conventional measuring devices. That is, the Bishop score index may be received through a patient image record stored in a hospital server or the like, even though it is not measured by an elastic ultrasound device. In this case, the server may refer to a system capable of providing various data including the above indicators through a network by storing medical services and records for an entity.

Then, in the step of calculating a prediction index based on the received elastic ultrasound index (S520), a prediction index may be calculated based on the received elastic ultrasound index and the bishop score index, and the prediction index at this time is the following [ It can be calculated through Equation 1].

[Equation 1]

Here, a and b are rational numbers with 2 decimal places between 1 and 1.5, c is a rational number with 2 decimal places between 0.1 and 0.5, and d is a rational number with 2 decimal places between 1 and 2. However, preferably, a is 1.39, b is 1.24, c is 0.20, and d may be 1.33, but is not limited thereto.

More specifically, the above-described [Equation 1] includes the elastography index, that is, the extracervical deformation rate (PP1 EOS) measured after 7 days of progesterone treatment, and the Bishop score index, that is, the cervix measured before progesterone treatment. Cervix length and funneling of the cervix may be applied.

Next, in the step of determining the treatment response of the subject to the anti-preterm birth drug based on the calculated predictive index (S530), when the result value calculated by applying the above-described [Equation 1] is equal to or greater than a predetermined level, progesterone It can be determined that the individual who received the treatment is a non-response (NR), that is, a negative response to the aforementioned treatment. At this time, the predetermined level may be between 0.1 and 0.3, but is not limited thereto, and may be variously set according to the size and type of the target group.

Furthermore, in the step of determining the treatment response of the individual to the anti-premature drug based on the calculated predictive index (S530), not only the treatment response of the individual, but also the prediction of the individual's premature birth may be determined. More specifically, if the subject has a negative treatment response to progesterone by the above-described process, the method for providing information on premature birth according to an embodiment of the present invention may cause the subject to have a spontaneous preterm birth of less than 32 weeks (spontuneous preterm delivery, sPTD) may be determined to be high, and the period for preterm birth is not limited to less than 32 weeks, and may be at least one of various periods up to 37 weeks, but may preferably be less than 32 weeks.

Next, in step S540 of providing a treatment response to the drug for preventing premature birth of the determined individual, information on the aforementioned premature birth determined by the processor 150 of the device 100 for providing information on premature birth may be provided. . More specifically, the information on premature birth may include at least one of the subject's treatment response to a drug for preventing premature birth, the period and possibility of premature birth, but is not limited thereto, and may be measured from the elastic ultrasound device 300 or premature birth. It may include all of various data that can be collected or calculated from the device 100 for providing information about.

Through the above process, the method for providing information on premature birth according to an embodiment of the present invention monitors changes in the cervix in a standardized way, predicts the effect of anti-preterm birth drugs, and provides objective symptoms during medical treatment. Data can be provided, and accordingly, a medical staff can quickly select and implement an optimal treatment more effectively for the individual. Furthermore, through these effects, it is possible to reduce the cost associated with premature birth and the risk of premature birth of the individual, and as a result, various economic and social costs can be reduced.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9b, a process of establishing a method for providing information on preventing premature birth according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail.

First, referring to FIG. 6, a schematic diagram illustrating exemplarily selection of a cohort in the method for providing information on premature birth according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The first subjects (inclusion criteria) were selected pregnant women who agreed to registration and progesterone treatment at Yonsei University Severance Hospital between March and June 2018 (S610).

Then, patients who have received progesterone administration from other institutions within the last 2 weeks, have symptoms related to preterm birth such as twin abnormal pregnancy, placenta previa, placental abruption, vaginal bleeding, uterine contraction, etc., and who have not consented to study registration Excluded (S620), pregnant women who performed progesterone treatment for spontaneous preterm birth were selected (S630).

Then, pregnant women with a cervical length exceeding 25 mm (>25 mm) were excluded (S640), and pregnant women with a short cervical length of 25 mm or less were selected (S650).

Finally, pregnant women whose delivery results could not be confirmed were excluded (S660), and finally, 95 subjects whose cervical length was measured at 25 mm or less and who used progesterone, whose delivery results were confirmed, were selected (S670). ).

At this time, the average age of the 95 selected subjects was 34 years old (25 to 42 years old), and the average gestational age at the time of registration was 22 weeks and 6 days (16 + 1 week to 28 + 6 weeks). The average length of the cervix was 22 mm (10 to 25 mm), and funneling of the cervix was present in 10.5% (10/95).

Furthermore, the selected subjects were sorted into responder (progesterone-responsive, PR) and non-responsive (NR) groups according to the results of progesterone treatment, and the number of weeks of delivery (preterm birth) in each group (less than 32 weeks, A total of 6 cohorts were selected by more finely differentiated according to less than 34 weeks and less than 37 weeks).

Accordingly, referring to FIG. 7 , comparison results of elastography indexes of the cervix between the progesterone responder (PR) and non-responder (NR) groups according to the treatment period in the above-described subjects are shown. At this time, the elastography index of the responder and non-responder groups was measured 4 times from before the start of progesterone treatment to 4 weeks of treatment, that is, before treatment (PP0), 1 week (PP1), 2 weeks (PP2), and 4 weeks (PP4) after treatment. was measured over

More specifically, in the 37-week preterm birth group (preterm birth <37), there was no statistically significant difference in the results of the elastography index according to the responder and non-responder groups.

On the other hand, in the 34-week preterm group (preterm birth<34), the uterine endometriosis rate (IOS) of the non-responder group (NR) measured before treatment (PP0) was significantly higher than that of the responder group (PR). (p=0.021), and the uterine endometriosis rate (IOS) of the non-responder group (NR) measured at 1 week after treatment (PP1) was also significantly higher than that of the responder group (PR) (p =0.014).

In addition, in the 34-week preterm birth group (preterm birth<34), the extrauterine deformation rate (EOS) of the non-responder group (NR) measured at 1 week after treatment (PP1) was significantly higher than that of the responder group (PR). appears high (p=0.010).

In addition, in the 34-week preterm group (preterm birth<34), the elastic difference index (ECI) of the non-responder group (NR) measured before treatment (PP0) was significantly higher than that of the responder group (PR). appears (p=0.036).

Furthermore, in the 34-week preterm birth group (preterm birth<34), the hardness ratio (HR) of the non-responder group (NR) measured at 1 week (PP1) after treatment was significantly lower than the hardness ratio of the responder group (PR) appears (p=0.005).

In other words, in the 34-week preterm birth group (preterm birth <34), the non-responder group had a high uterine endometrial strain and elasticity difference index before treatment (PP0), and the non-responder group showed a high intrauterine and extrauterine elasticity difference index at 1 week after treatment (PP1). It appears that the strain is high and the hardness ratio is low. This may mean that, in preterm labor of less than 34 weeks, a treatment response to an anti-preterm birth drug can be predicted through a difference in the cervix before and 1 week after progesterone treatment.

In relation to this, in the 32-week preterm birth group (preterm birth <32), the uterine endometriosis rate (IOS) of the non-responder group (NR) measured before treatment (PP0) was significantly higher than that of the responder group (PR). (p = 0.016).

Furthermore, in the 32-week preterm birth group (preterm birth<32), the uterine endometriosis (IOS) of the non-responder group (NR) measured at 1 week after treatment (PP1) was significantly higher than that of the responder group (PR). It appears to be high (p=0.026), and the extrauterine external strain (EOS) of the non-responder group (NR) is significantly higher than that of the responder group (PR) (p=0.007).

In addition, in the 32-week preterm birth group (preterm birth<32), the hardness ratio (HR) of the non-responder group (NR) measured at 1 week after treatment (PP1) was significantly lower than that of the responder group (PR). appears (p=0.007).

That is, in the 32-week preterm birth group (preterm birth<32), the non-responder group had a high intrauterine strain rate before treatment (PP0), and the non-responder group had a high intrauterine and extrauterine strain rate at 1 week after treatment (PP1), The hardness ratio appears to be low. This means that, as in preterm labor of less than 34 weeks, in preterm labor of less than 32 weeks, the treatment response to anti-preterm birth drugs can be predicted through the difference in the cervix before and 1 week after progesterone treatment. can

Accordingly, referring to FIG. 8 , the odds ratio and 95% confidence interval (CI) results of the non-responder result are shown in relation to the elastography index according to the treatment period selected through the above-described process. . At this time, the odds ratio (OR) represents the association between the risk factors, that is, the elastography index in the method for providing information on premature birth according to an embodiment of the present invention, and the occurrence of diseases, that is, the occurrence of premature birth and complications related to premature birth. As an index, if the odds ratio is 1 (OR=1), it can be interpreted as not being able to see that the risk factor has a significant effect on the occurrence of the disease, and if the odds ratio is 1 or more (OR>1), the risk factor It can be interpreted that the probability of disease occurrence is higher than when there is no risk factor. Furthermore, when the odds ratio is 1 or less (OR<1), it can be interpreted in the opposite way as described above. Furthermore, if the 95% confidence interval of the odds ratio includes 1, it can be interpreted that the effect of risk factors on disease incidence is not significant. In addition, the adjusted OR shown in FIG. 7 is the result of correcting the Bishop score index, that is, the cervical length (CL) and the funneling of the cervix. Furthermore, cervical length and cervical dilatation may refer to indicators measured prior to progesterone treatment.

More specifically, referring to the corrected odds ratio for FIG. 7, the elastography index measured at 1 week after treatment (PP1), that is, the intrauterine intrauterine strain (IOS) and the extrauterine external strain (EOS), was high or mild A lower ratio (HR) appears to increase the incidence of preterm birth or preterm birth-related pregnancy complications.

In particular, the higher the extrauterine strain (EOS) measured at 1 week after treatment (PP1), the risk probability of preterm birth of less than 34 weeks or surgical prevention of preterm birth such as cervical ligature was 2.61 fold (95% CI = 1.32-5.17, P = 0.006).

Furthermore, the higher the extrauterine strain (EOS) measured at 1 week after treatment (PP1), the risk probability of preterm birth of less than 32 weeks or surgical prevention of premature birth such as cervical ligature was 3.45 fold (95% CI = 1.51-7.88, P = 0.003).

That is, in both preterm births of less than 34 weeks and preterm births of less than 32 weeks, the extrauterine deformation rate (EOS) measured at 1 week (PP1) after treatment appears to have a high correlation with preterm birth and preterm birth-related complications. Therefore, the risk of preterm birth of less than 34 weeks or less than 32 weeks can be predicted through the measurement of the extrauterine deformation rate (EOS) at 1 week after treatment (PP1).

Accordingly, the accuracy of prediction and diagnosis for the above indicators is evaluated with reference to FIGS. 9A and 9B .

Referring to Figures 9a to 9b, the results of the premature birth predictive power in the information providing method for premature birth according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. At this time, the accuracy of the predictive index was evaluated through the area under the ROC curve (AUC), and an AUC value of 1 is the most perfect test method, and sensitivity and specificity may mean that all have 100% accuracy, and an AUC value of 0.5 may mean a useless test. Therefore, according to the value of AUC, it is non-informative (AUC=0.5), less accurate (0.5<AUC≤0.7), accurate (0.7<AUC≤0.9), very accurate (0.9<AUC≤1), and perfect agreement (AUC= 1) can evaluate the accuracy of the target indicator.

First, referring to FIG. 9A , among the elastography indexes, the extrauterine ectopic strain (EOS) measured at 1 week after treatment (PP1) appears to have high predictive accuracy in relation to preterm birth and preterm birth-related complications. In particular, the AUC value for pregnancy complications including preterm births of less than 32 weeks was 0.760 (95% CL = 0.629-0.892, p-value = 0.011), which is higher than other preterm births.

Furthermore, in all preterm births less than 32 weeks as described above, when the extrauterine ectopic strain (EOS) measured at 1 week after treatment (PP1) was used together with cervical length (CL) and funneling of the cervix, AUC A value of 0.806 (95% CL = 0.671-0.941, p-value = 0.002) appears to have a higher value than when used alone.

That is, in relation to preterm birth of less than 32 weeks and related pregnancy complications, the extracervical deformation rate (EOS) measured at 1 week after treatment (PP1) can be a highly accurate predictive indicator, and furthermore, the cervical length ( CL) and cervical dilatation (funneling) can be a predictive index with higher accuracy than when used alone.

Accordingly, referring to FIG. 9B , the above-described graph of AUC is shown. Based on the reference line with an AUC value of 0.5, the cervical exospheric strain (EOS), cervical length (CL), and cervical dilation (funneling) measured at 1 week after treatment (PP1) were included. As described above, the value of AUC of the predictive model is 0.806, which indicates that the true positive rate (sensitivity) of the predictive model including the above three indicators is the highest. Next, the value of AUC of the predictive model using the cervical extrauterine strain (EOS) measured at 1 week after treatment (PP1) alone was 0.760, ) also appears to have a higher actual positive rate than conventional predictive methods for cervical length (CL) and cervical dilatation (funneling sign).

That is, only the extracervical deformation rate (EOS) measured at 1 week after treatment (PP1) can have a higher predictive accuracy than the conventional preterm birth prediction method, but the cervical length (CL) and funneling of the cervix In the case of including more, it can have higher accuracy in predicting preterm birth less than 32 weeks.

Accordingly, the predictive index in the method for providing information on preterm birth according to an embodiment of the present invention may be the extrauterine cervix deformity measured at 1 week after progesterone treatment, and preferably, the cervix measured before progesterone treatment. length (CL) and funneling of the cervix.

In this regard, when the above-mentioned predictive index is applied to the following [Equation 1], which is a prediction formula, and the cut-off is set to 0.210, the sensitivity is 63.6% and the specificity is 91.4%, a positive predictive value of 50.0% and a negative predictive value of 94.9%. At this time, the threshold may be between 0.1 and 0.3, preferably 0.210. However, it is not limited thereto, and may be variously set according to the size and condition of the target group.

[Equation 1]

Here, a and b are rational numbers with 2 decimal places between 1 and 1.5, c is a rational number with 2 decimal places between 0.1 and 0.5, and d is a rational number with 2 decimal places between 1 and 2. However, preferably, a is 1.39, b is 1.24, c is 0.20, and d may be 1.33, but is not limited thereto.

Accordingly, the method for providing information on preterm birth according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the ectopic deformation of the uterus measured 1 week after progesterone treatment, the cervical length (CL) measured before progesterone treatment, and the dilatation (funneling) of the cervix. ) can be applied to the above-mentioned prediction formula, Equation 1, to determine the preterm birth prevention effect of the anti-premature drug, and to predict spontaneous early miscarriage of less than 32 weeks accordingly.

As a result, the method for providing information on preterm birth according to an embodiment of the present invention is based on the cervical ectopic strain measured 1 week after progesterone treatment, the cervical length (CL) measured before progesterone treatment, and the cervical dilatation. Based on funneling, it is possible to determine whether the treatment response to an anti-preterm birth drug, i.e., progesterone treatment, is positive or negative, and predict preterm birth less than 32 weeks accordingly, thereby predicting that pregnant women can receive more effective anti-preterm birth treatment. indicators can be provided.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not necessarily limited to these embodiments, and may be variously modified and implemented without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are not intended to limit the technical idea of the present invention, but to explain, and the scope of the technical idea of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood as illustrative in all respects and not limiting. The protection scope of the present invention should be construed according to the claims below, and all technical ideas within the equivalent range should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims (19)

It relates to a method for providing information on premature birth prediction implemented by a processor,
receiving an ultrasound elastography parameter for the subject's cervix;
Calculating a predictive index based on the received elastic ultrasound index; and
Based on the calculated predictive index, determining the treatment response of the individual to the anti-preterm birth drug;
Calculating the predictive indicator,
Equation 1 is applied and performed by the processor
[Equation 1]

Here, a and b are rational numbers with 2 decimal places between 1 and 1.5, c is a rational number with 2 decimal places between 0.1 and 0.5, and d is a rational number with 2 decimal places between 1 and 2.
The PP1 EOS is the ectopic strain measured at 1 week after progesterone treatment,
The cervix length is the length of the cervix measured before progesterone treatment,
Wherein the funneling is a result of dilation of the cervix measured before progesterone treatment, a method for providing information about premature birth. According to claim 1,
The elastic ultrasound index,
A method for providing information on premature birth, which is an elastography index for the cervix after 7 days of anti-preterm birth drug treatment. According to claim 1,
The elastic ultrasound index,
Information about preterm birth, including at least one of internal os strain (IOS), external os strain (EOS), hardness ratio, and elasticity contrast index (ECI) How to provide. According to claim 1,
In the receiving step,
Further comprising the step of receiving a bishop score (bishop socre) index for the cervix of the subject, information providing method for premature birth. According to claim 4,
The bishop score index is,
An informational method for preterm birth, a Bishop score index before anti-preterm birth medication. According to claim 4,
The bishop score index is,
A method of providing information about premature birth, comprising at least one of a cervix length (CL) and a funneling sign of the cervix. According to claim 1,
The anti-preterm birth drug,
Progesterone, an informative method for preterm labor. delete According to claim 1,
The cut-off of Equation 1 is,
may be between 0.1 and 0.3;
When the resultant value for Equation 1 is greater than or equal to the threshold value,
Method for providing information on premature birth, which determines the treatment response to the anti-premature drug of the subject as negative. According to claim 1,
Evaluating the treatment response to the anti-preterm birth drug,
When the calculated predictive index is equal to or greater than a predetermined level, determining that the subject has a negative treatment response to an anti-premature birthing drug. According to claim 10,
Evaluating the treatment response to the anti-preterm birth drug,
If the subject has a negative treatment response to the anti-preterm birth drug,
Providing information on premature birth, further comprising determining that the spontaneous preterm delivery (sPTD) of less than 32 weeks is higher than the likelihood of spontaneous premature delivery of less than 32 weeks of an individual having a positive treatment response to the anti-preterm birth drug method. A receiver configured to receive an elastography index for the cervix of the subject, and
Including a processor connected to the receiver,
the processor,
Calculating a predictive index by applying Equation 1 based on the received elastic ultrasound index;
[Equation 1]

Here, a and b are rational numbers with 2 decimal places between 1 and 1.5, c is a rational number with 2 decimal places between 0.1 and 0.5, and d is a rational number with 2 decimal places between 1 and 2.
The PP1 EOS is the ectopic strain measured at 1 week after progesterone treatment,
The cervix length is the length of the cervix measured before progesterone treatment,
The funneling is the result of dilatation of the cervix measured before progesterone treatment,
A device for providing information on premature birth, configured to determine a treatment response to an anti-premature drug of the subject based on the calculated predictive index. According to claim 12,
The elastic ultrasound index,
A device for providing information on premature birth, which is an elastography index for the cervix after 1 week of anti-preterm birth drug treatment. According to claim 12,
The elastic ultrasound index,
A device for providing information about preterm birth, including internal os strain (IOS), external os strain (EOS), hardness ratio and elasticity contrast index (ECI) . According to claim 12,
the receiver,
Further comprising the step of receiving a bishop score (bishop socre) index for the cervix of the subject, a device for providing information about premature birth. According to claim 15,
The bishop score index is,
A device for providing information about premature birth, which is a Bishop score index before anti-preterm birth drug treatment. According to claim 15,
The bishop score index is,
A device for providing information about premature birth, including cervix length (CL) and funneling sign of the cervix. According to claim 12,
The anti-preterm birth drug,
Progesterone, a device for providing information about premature birth. According to claim 12,
the processor,
If the calculated predictive index is equal to or greater than a predetermined level, the device for providing information about premature birth, configured to determine that the subject's treatment response to the anti-preterm birth drug is negative.

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