MedTrace Logo

Diagnostic and Psychometric Validation of the FRENCH HELP Scale in Hyperemesis Gravidarum

NCT07767071 · Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING · Type: OBSERVATIONAL · Enrollment: 300

Last updated 2026-08-17

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Severe forms of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP) are classified as hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). NVP is debilitating in approximately 35% of women impairing daily life and professional activities while negatively affecting family relationships. In 0.3% to 3.6% of pregnancies, the vomiting is intractable and represents the leading cause of hospitalization during the first trimester. Severity of symptoms can sometimes lead women to consider terminating the pregnancy or to decide against future pregnancies.

The most widely used tool for assessing NVP and HG is the PUQE score; it asks three questions regarding nausea, vomiting, and retching, and is scored from 1 to 15. A score of ≥13 classifies NVP as severe. However, the PUQE score does not include questions regarding quality of life, which is a key determinant of HG.

An international definition (the Windsor definition of HG) has been developed, extending beyond mere digestive symptoms. This definition includes: symptom onset in early pregnancy (before 16 weeks of gestation); severe nausea or vomiting; an inability to eat or drink normally; and significant limitation of daily activities or signs of dehydration. This definition aligns better with the full spectrum of symptoms associated with this condition. The US-based Hyperemesis Education and Research (HER) Foundation developed the HELP Score to better assess nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP), particularly severe cases. The tool includes questions regarding the intensity of nausea and vomiting, along with nine additional questions covering hydration, nutrition, treatments and their efficacy, and quality of life. The HELP score ranges from 0 to 60, with scores of 33 to 60 classifying patients as severe; this offers greater scope for assessing levels of severity, and improvement, compared to the PUQE score, which is calculated on a 15-point scale with only 3 points allocated to the severity category.

The HELP score has proved more effective than the PUQE score at identifying patients with severe symptoms requiring intervention, in a study with several methodological limitations, such as reliance on an online questionnaire and a failure to adhere to diagnostic validation standards. Nevertheless, the lack of robust evidence warrants further research using more rigorous methodology to confirm the value of this scoring system.

Conditions

  • Hyperemesis Gravidarum
  • Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy

Interventions

OTHER

HELP score

Evaluation of intensity of nausea and vomiting, covering hydration, diet, treatments and their effectiveness, and quality of life. The HELP score ranges from 0 to 60-with scores of 33 to 60 classifying patients as severe

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nīmes

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Stephanie Huberlant · Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nīmes

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Sex
FEMALE
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2026-08-31
Primary Completion
2028-11-30
Completion
2028-11-30

Countries

  • France

Study Locations

More Related Trials

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07767071 on ClinicalTrials.gov