Cost—effectiveness analysis of salpingectomy prior to IVF, based on a randomized controlled trial

History of induced abortion and the risk of preterm birth: a retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVES

To explore the relationship between a history of induced abortion and follow-up preterm birth.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort study of 27,176 women aged 19 to 48 years old in the city of Dongguan. Participants were divided into two groups according to the history of induced abortion. We used log-binomial regression to estimate adjusted risk ratios of preterm birth (gestation at less than 37 weeks) and early preterm birth (gestation at less than 34 weeks) for women with a history of induced abortion. Four models adjusted for different baseline data were used to verify the stability of the results. We also performed a subgroup analysis and mediation effect analysis to control for the influence of confounding factors and analyzed the relationship between the number of abortions and subsequent preterm birth.

RESULTS

Our study included 2,985 women who had undergone a prior induced abortion. Women who reported having a prior induced abortion were more likely to have preterm births before 37 weeks and 34 weeks, with risk ratios of 1.18 (95% CI 1.02-1.36) and 1.65 (95% CI 1.23-2.21), respectively. The above associations were stable in all models. We also found that a history of induced abortion was independently associated with a higher risk of preterm birth and early preterm birth in the subgroups. After controlling for the indirect effect of demographic data, the direct effect of abortion history on follow-up preterm delivery was still significantly different. The higher the number of abortions, the greater the risk of subsequent preterm birth.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that induced abortion increases the risk of subsequent preterm birth.

Definition, diagnostic and therapeutic options in recurrent implantation failure: an international survey of clinicians and embryologists

STUDY QUESTION

What is the global variability in recurrent implantation failure (RIF) definition, investigation and therapy, currently offered to patients undergoing IVF?

SUMAMRY ANSWER

Definitions, diagnostic investigations and treatments offered to RIF patients differ widely amongst assisted reproduction healthcare professionals and clinical guidelines on RIF are urgently needed.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

RIF affects around 10% of patients undergoing IVF worldwide. There is no consensus on the definition of RIF, its diagnostic investigations or the therapeutic options, which leads to inconsistencies in clinical practice.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

A cross-sectional study of clinicians and embryologists was conducted between May and June 2020. The survey included 43 questions aimed at understanding participants' background and their current practice with regards to defining, investigating and managing RIF. The questions were designed by the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) Special Interest Group (SIG) on implantation and early pregnancy following three consensus meetings.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

A total of 8579 ESHRE members from 6916 IVF centers were invited to participate using two global email calls based on their pre-specified interest in implantation and early pregnancy. SurveyMonkey and SPSS were used for data collection and analysis, respectively. Furthermore, differences were reported in the answers of European and non-European professionals, as well as between public and private settings and among clinicians clustered according to the average number of RIF patients treated per year.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

The final data set included 735 clinicians and 300 embryologist or IVF-biologists. The majority defines RIF based on the number of failed embryo transfers (ETs) with the most common threshold adopted being three ETs both fresh and frozen. More than two-thirds take lifestyle factors into account, mainly drugs, smoking and BMI. The highest consensus on which diagnostic investigations should be performed was reached for anatomical malformations and gynecological aspects focusing on hydrosalpinx, Asherman's syndrome, endometrial thickness and endometriosis. Concerning treatment of RIF patients, the highest consensus was reached for preconceptional therapies, including BMI adjustment, smoking and endometritis followed by therapies during IVF procedures.

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

The response rate was relatively low, but comparable to other surveys.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

A consensus on definition, diagnosis and treatment of RIF would help to reduce costly, time-consuming and poorly validated approaches.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

No external funding was used. B.T. received support from Bayer for Clinical trials concerning endometriosis and Ferring for clinical trials concerning ovarian stimulation. She received reimbursement for travel expenses from Astropharm, Ferring. Dr Kade and is a shareholder of Reprognostics. She is a board member of the Austrian Society for Obstetrics and Gynecology (OEGGG), the associate head of the 'Reproduktionsmedizinische Zentren Baden-Württemberg' (RZBW), a member of guideline group of the German Society for Obstetrics and Gynecology (DGGG) and an editorial board member of the following journals: American Journal of Reproductive Immunology (AJRI), Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics. All the other authors declare no conflict of interest.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

N/A.

The Effect of Salpingectomy on Ovarian Reserve and Ovarian Function

BACKGROUND

The effect of salpingectomy on ovarian reserve and ovarian function is still a controversial issue, and more investigations are needed.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of salpingectomy on ovarian reserve and ovarian function.

STUDY STRATEGY

PubMed, Embase, Medline, Web of Knowledge, and the Cochrane trial register were searched.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Studies must have similar study method and be published in English; clear data can be extracted from full test.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Data were collected and analyzed by Review Manager 5.3.

MAIN RESULTS

A total of 13 studies were eligible. The level of anti-müllerian hormone is lower, and early follicular phase follicle-stimulating hormone is higher in salpingectomy groups. The level of early follicular phase estradiol and the ovarian volume of salpingectomy groups are the same as control. The total dose of follicle-stimulating hormone needed during in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) treatment cycles, the number of collected oocytes, and the clinical pregnancy rate are similar in salpingectomy and control groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Salpingectomy does not appear to affect ovarian function, ovarian response to gonadotropin stimulation, or outcome of IVF-ET in the short run. It may, however, impair ovarian reserve in the long run.

A retrospective analysis of the effect of salpingectomy on serum antiMüllerian hormone level and ovarian reserve

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether previous salpingectomy is associated with serum antiMüllerian hormone (AMH) level and ovarian reserve in women under 40 years presenting for in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer.

STUDY DESIGN

We retrospectively compared serum AMH levels measured on the ovulation induction initiation day in patients with unilateral salpingectomy, bilateral salpingectomy, and no tubal surgery, and examined the relationship with length of time after surgery and in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer parameters.

RESULTS

A total of 198 women were included; 83 received unilateral salpingectomy, 41 bilateral salpingectomy, and 74 no tubal surgery. The baseline characteristics of the groups were similar. The mean AMH level was significantly higher in women without tubal surgery as compared with those with bilateral salpingectomy (183.48 vs 127.11 fmol/mL; P ≤ .037). The mean follicle stimulation hormone level was significantly lower in women without surgery as compared with those with bilateral salpingectomy (7.85 vs 9.13 mIU/mL; P = .048). No significant differences in duration of gonadotropin therapy, amount of gonadotropin used, estradiol level on the human chorionic gonadotropin injection day, thickness of the endometrium, number of oocytes retrieved, number of 2-pronuclei, viable embryos, and good quality embryos were found between the 3 groups. AMH level was not correlated with the number of oocytes or age in women that had undergone unilateral or bilateral salpingectomy.

CONCLUSION

Salpingectomy is associated with decreased AMH level and increased follicle stimulation hormone in women seeking in vitro fertilization, though AMH level is not correlated with the number of oocytes retrieved in patients that have undergone unilateral or bilateral salpingectomy. These results suggest that salpingectomy is associated with decreased ovarian reserve.

Is ICSI Risky?

As assisted reproductive technology (ART) methods become the mainstream of infertility treatment, it has become even more critical to reassess its safety. Following the results of a study published by the Robinson Institute in the New England Journal of Medicine, the risk of ART, especially intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), has never been so closely scrutinized. This paper traces the origins and development of ICSI, assesses the risks documented in the literature, and finally interprets the implications of the study for couples contemplating therapy. We support the need for continued vigilance towards ICSI and the importance in investigating male-factor infertility as a prequel to its use.

The costs and consequences of assisted reproductive technology: an economic perspective

BACKGROUND

Despite the growing use of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) worldwide, there is only a limited understanding of the economics of ART to inform policy about effective, safe and equitable financing of ART treatment.

METHODS

A review was undertaken of key studies regarding the costs and consequences of ART treatment, specifically examining the direct and indirect costs of treatment, economic drivers of utilization and clinical practice and broader economic consequences of ART-conceived children.

RESULTS

The direct costs of ART treatment vary substantially between countries, with the USA standing out as the most expensive. The direct costs generally reflect the costliness of the underlying healthcare system. If unsubsidized, direct costs represent a significant economic burden to patients. The level of affordability of ART treatment is an important driver of utilization, treatment choices, embryo transfer practices and ultimately multiple birth rates. The costs associated with caring for multiple-birth ART infants and their mothers are substantial, reflecting the underlying morbidity associated with such pregnancies. Investment analysis of ART treatment and ART-conceived children indicates that appropriate funding of ART services appears to represent sound fiscal policy.

CONCLUSIONS

The complex interaction between the cost of ART treatment and how treatments are subsidized in different healthcare settings and for different patient groups has far-reaching consequences for ART utilization, clinical practice and infant outcomes. A greater understanding of the economics of ART is needed to inform policy decisions and to ensure the best possible outcomes from ART treatment.

The economic impact of assisted reproductive technology: a review of selected developed countries

OBJECTIVE

To compare regulatory and economic aspects of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) in developed countries.

DESIGN

Comparative policy and economic analysis.

PATIENT(S)

Couples undergoing ART treatment in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Scandinavia, Japan, and Australia.

OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Description of regulatory and financing arrangements, cycle costs, cost-effectiveness ratios, total expenditure, utilization, and price elasticity.

RESULT(S)

Regulation and financing of ART share few general characteristics in developed countries. The cost of treatment reflects the costliness of the underlying healthcare system rather than the regulatory or funding environment. The cost (in 2006 United States dollars) of a standard IVF cycle ranged from $12,513 in the United States to $3,956 in Japan. The cost per live birth was highest in the United States and United Kingdom ($41,132 and $40,364, respectively) and lowest in Scandinavia and Japan ($24,485 and $24,329, respectively). The cost of an IVF cycle after government subsidization ranged from 50% of annual disposable income in the United States to 6% in Australia. The cost of ART treatment did not exceed 0.25% of total healthcare expenditure in any country. Australia and Scandinavia were the only country/region to reach levels of utilization approximating demand, with North America meeting only 24% of estimated demand. Demand displayed variable price elasticity.

CONCLUSION(S)

Assisted reproductive technology is expensive from a patient perspective but not from a societal perspective. Only countries with funding arrangements that minimize out-of-pocket expenses met expected demand. Funding mechanisms should maximize efficiency and equity of access while minimizing the potential harm from multiple births.

Infertility and the provision of infertility medical services in developing countries

BACKGROUND

Worldwide more than 70 million couples suffer from infertility, the majority being residents of developing countries. Negative consequences of childlessness are experienced to a greater degree in developing countries when compared with Western societies. Bilateral tubal occlusion due to sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy-related infections is the most common cause of infertility in developing countries, a condition that is potentially treatable with assisted reproductive technologies (ART). New reproductive technologies are either unavailable or very costly in developing countries. This review provides a comprehensive survey of all important papers on the issue of infertility in developing countries.

METHODS

Medline, PubMed, Excerpta Medica and EMBASE searches identified relevant papers published between 1978 and 2007 and the keywords used were the combinations of 'affordable, assisted reproduction, ART, developing countries, health services, infertility, IVF, simplified methods, traditional health care'.

RESULTS

The exact prevalence of infertility in developing countries is unknown due to a lack of registration and well-performed studies. On the other hand, the implementation of appropriate infertility treatment is currently not a main goal for most international non-profit organizations. Keystones in the successful implementation of infertility care in low-resource settings include simplification of diagnostic and ART procedures, minimizing the complication rate of interventions, providing training-courses for health-care workers and incorporating infertility treatment into sexual and reproductive health-care programmes.

CONCLUSIONS

Although recognizing the importance of education and prevention, we believe that for the reasons of social justice, infertility treatment in developing countries requires greater attention at National and International levels.

Treatment of hydrosalpinx in the patient undergoing assisted reproduction

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Patients with hydrosalpinx are a recognized group with poor prognosis in in-vitro fertilization. This review presents evidence for the effectiveness of different treatment options.

RECENT FINDINGS

Theories explaining the mechanisms behind the impaired outcome of in-vitro fertilization still focus on the hydrosalpingeal fluid. Gamete and embryotoxic effects have been demonstrated, but it is not a consistent finding. Endometrial receptivity may be altered by the reduced expression of cytokines and integrins important to implantation, and reduced endometrial and subendometrial blood flows may play a role. The rationale for treatments to improve the results of in-vitro fertilization is based on interruption of the leakage of hydrosalpinx fluid into the uterine cavity. Laparoscopic salpingectomy has been evaluated in a large randomized trial and proved effective in restoring birth rates. Proximal tubal ligation may also be effective according to one smaller randomized trial. Other suggested methods such as transvaginal drainage have been poorly investigated.

SUMMARY

Pre-in-vitro fertilization salpingectomy is the only method that has proved effective in restoring birth rates in patients with hydrosalpinx. The underlying mechanism explaining reduced implantation and embryo development awaits further research.

A detailed cost analysis of in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection treatment

OBJECTIVE

To provide detailed information about costs of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment stages and to estimate the cost per IVF and ICSI treatment cycle and ongoing pregnancy.

DESIGN

Descriptive micro-costing study.

SETTING

Four Dutch IVF centers.

PATIENT(S)

Women undergoing their first treatment cycle with IVF or ICSI.

INTERVENTION(S)

IVF or ICSI.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Costs per treatment stage, per cycle started, and for ongoing pregnancy.

RESULT(S)

Average costs of IVF and ICSI hormonal stimulation were euro 1630 and euro 1585; the costs of oocyte retrieval were euro 500 and euro 725, respectively. The cost of embryo transfer was euro 185. Costs per IVF and ICSI cycle started were euro 2381 and euro 2578, respectively. Costs per ongoing pregnancy were euro 10,482 and euro 10,036, respectively.

CONCLUSION(S)

Hormonal stimulation covered the main part of the costs per cycle (on average 68% and 61% for IVF and ICSI, respectively) due to the relatively high cost of medication. The costs of medication increased with increasing age of the women, irrespective of the type of treatment (IVF or ICSI). Fertilization costs (IVF laboratory) constituted 12% and 20% of the total costs of IVF and ICSI. The total cost per ICSI cycle was 8.3% higher than IVF.