Using Robson's Ten-Group Classification System for comparing caesarean section rates in Europe: an analysis of routine data from the Euro-Peristat study

• Published in: BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
• Main Authors: Zeitlin, J, Durox, M, Macfarlane, A, Alexander, S, Heller, G, Loghi, M, Nijhuis, J, Sól ólafsdóttir, H, Mierzejewska, E, Gissler, M, Blondel, B, Euro-Peristat Network, Barros, H
• Other Authors: Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2021
• Subjects: Norway; Iceland
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10216/149546; https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-0528.16634

Corrigendum: https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1471-0528.17308 Objective Robson's Ten Group Classification System (TGCS) creates clinically relevant sub-groups for monitoring caesarean birth rates. This study assesses whether this classification can be derived from routine data in Europe and uses it to analyse national caesarean rates. Design Observational study using routine data. Setting Twenty-seven EU member states plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and the UK. Population All births at ≥22 weeks of gestational age in 2015. Methods National statistical offices and medical birth registers derived numbers of caesarean births in TGCS groups. Main outcome measures Overall caesarean rate, prevalence and caesarean rates in each of the TGCS groups. Results Of 31 countries, 18 were able to provide data on the TGCS groups, with UK data available only from Northern Ireland. Caesarean birth rates ranged from 16.1 to 56.9%. Countries providing TGCS data had lower caesarean rates than countries without data (25.8% versus 32.9%, P = 0.04). Countries with higher caesarean rates tended to have higher rates in all TGCS groups. Substantial heterogeneity was observed, however, especially for groups 5 (previous caesarean section), 6, 7 (nulliparous/multiparous breech) and 10 (singleton cephalic preterm). The differences in percentages of abnormal lies, group 9, illustrate potential misclassification arising from unstandardised definitions. Conclusions Although further validation of data quality is needed, using TGCS in Europe provides valuable comparator and baseline data for benchmarking and surveillance. Higher caesarean rates in countries unable to construct the TGCS suggest that effective routine information systems may be an indicator of a country's investment in implementing evidence-based caesarean policies. Euro-Peristat receives support as part of the InfAct Joint Action (Grant no. 801553) and data collection was partially funded as part of the BridgeHealth Project (Grant no. 665691), Public Health ...