The Magpie Trial: a randomised trial comparing magnesium sulphate with placebo for pre-eclampsia. Outcome for women at 2 years
2007

The Magpie Trial: Long-term Effects of Magnesium Sulphate for Pre-eclampsia

Sample size: 4782 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Magpie Trial Follow-Up Study Collaborative Group

Primary Institution: Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford

Hypothesis

Does magnesium sulphate for pre-eclampsia affect long-term health outcomes for women?

Conclusion

Magnesium sulphate use for pre-eclampsia does not lead to increased death or disability in women after 2 years.

Supporting Evidence

  • 3.5% of women allocated magnesium sulphate experienced death or serious morbidity related to pre-eclampsia.
  • 4.2% of women allocated placebo experienced death or serious morbidity related to pre-eclampsia.
  • The relative risk of serious morbidity was 0.84 for magnesium sulphate compared to placebo.

Takeaway

This study looked at women who had pre-eclampsia and found that using magnesium sulphate didn't cause more problems for them later on.

Methodology

Women were assessed through questionnaires and interviews 2-3 years after delivery.

Potential Biases

Bias in outcome assessment is unlikely as it was conducted blind to treatment allocation.

Limitations

Some women were not contacted for follow-up, and the study may underestimate true morbidity.

Participant Demographics

Women from 125 centres in 19 countries, with varying perinatal mortality rates.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.84

Confidence Interval

0.60–1.18

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1111/j.1471-0528.2006.01166.x

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