Preovulatory uterine flushing with saline as a treatment for unexplained infertility: a randomised controlled trial protocol

Outpatient hysteroscopy impact on subsequent assisted reproductive technology: a systematic review and meta-analysis in patients with normal transvaginal sonography or hysterosalpingography images

BACKGROUND

Standard management for intrauterine lesions typically involves initial imaging followed by operative hysteroscopy for suspicious findings. However, the efficacy of routine outpatient hysteroscopy in women undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) remains uncertain due to a lack of decisive high-quality evidence. This study aimed to determine whether outpatient hysteroscopy is beneficial for infertile women who have unremarkable imaging results prior to undergoing ART.

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following PRISMA guidelines, incorporating data up to May 31, 2023, from databases such as PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. The primary outcome assessed was the live birth rate, with secondary outcomes including chemical pregnancy, clinical pregnancy rates, and miscarriage rates. Statistical analysis involved calculating risk ratios with 95% confidence intervals and assessing heterogeneity with the I2 statistic.

RESULTS

The analysis included ten randomized control trials. Receiving outpatient hysteroscopy before undergoing ART was associated with increased live birth (RR 1.22, 95% CI 1.03-1.45, I2 61%) and clinical pregnancy rate (RR 1.27 95% CI 1.10-1.47, I2 53%). Miscarriage rates did not differ significantly (RR 1.25, CI 0.90-1.76, I2 50%). Subgroup analyses did not show a significant difference in clinical pregnancy rates when comparing normal versus abnormal hysteroscopic findings (RR 1.01, CI 0.78-1.32, I2 38%). We analyzed data using both intention-to-treat and per-protocol approaches, and our findings were consistent across both analytical methods.

CONCLUSIONS

Office hysteroscopy may enhance live birth and clinical pregnancy rates in infertile women undergoing ART, even when previous imaging studies show no apparent intrauterine lesions. Treating lesions not detected by imaging may improve ART outcomes. The most commonly missed lesions are endometrial polyps, submucosal fibroids and endometritis, which are all known to affect ART success rates. The findings suggested that hysteroscopy, given its diagnostic accuracy and patient tolerability, should be considered in the management of infertility.

DATABASE REGISTRATION

The study was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systemic Review database (CRD42023476403).

The definition of unexplained infertility: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

There is no consensus on tests required to either diagnose unexplained infertility or use for research inclusion criteria. This leads to heterogeneity and bias affecting meta-analysis and best practice advice.

OBJECTIVES

This systematic review analyses the variability of inclusion criteria applied to couples with unexplained infertility. We propose standardised criteria for use both in future research studies and clinical diagnosis.

SEARCH STRATEGY

CINAHL and MEDLINE online databases were searched up to November 2022 for all published studies recruiting couples with unexplained infertility, available in full text in the English language.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Data were collected in an Excel spreadsheet. Results were analysed per category and methodology or reference range.

MAIN RESULTS

Of 375 relevant studies, only 258 defined their inclusion criteria. The most commonly applied inclusion criteria were semen analysis, tubal patency and assessment of ovulation in 220 (85%), 232 (90%), 205 (79.5%) respectively. Only 87/220 (39.5%) studies reporting semen analysis used the World Health Organization (WHO) limits. Tubal patency was accepted if bilateral in 145/232 (62.5%) and if unilateral in 24/232 (10.3%). Ovulation was assessed using mid-luteal serum progesterone in 115/205 (56.1%) and by a history of regular cycles in 87/205 (42.4%). Other criteria, including uterine cavity assessment and hormone profile, were applied in less than 50% of included studies.

CONCLUSIONS

This review highlights the heterogeneity among studied populations with unexplained infertility. Development and application of internationally accepted criteria will improve the quality of research and future clinical care.

Evaluation of predictor factors of psychological distress in women with unexplained infertility

Objective:

The objective of this study was to establish the frequency of anxiety and depressive symptoms among women diagnosed with unexplained infertility and to identify risk factors.

Methods:

We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study. Forty-two women from the CHU de Quebec fertility clinic were recruited. Women completed the ‘Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale’ (HADS) self-administered questionnaire, used to estimate prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms (score ≥ 8).

Results:

Overall, 55% (n = 23) of participants were identified with anxiety or depressive symptoms according to the HADS questionnaire. Anxiety symptoms were more frequent (55%) compared with depressive symptoms (10%). According to a logistic regression model, being under 35 years old [odds ratio (OR) = 16.6, confidence interval (CI): 1.9–25.0], never had a previous spontaneous abortion (OR = 5.6, CI: 1.1–43.5) and never sought fertility treatment (OR = 5.5, CI: 1.1–45.4) were associated with a higher risk of anxiety and depressive symptoms.

Conclusion:

Anxiety and depressive symptoms are common among women with unexplained infertility, and strategies should be developed to better support and treat this high-risk population.

Uterine Cavity Irrigation With Office Hysteroscopy During Ovarian Stimulation for IVF: A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE

This was a non-blinded randomized controlled study to evaluate whether endometrial irrigation via office hysteroscopy during the early follicular phase would lead to a higher level of live birth rates compared to no irrigation in the fresh embryo transfer cycle.

METHOD

The study was conducted in Tehran university of medical sciences from June 2015 to June 2016. women under the age of 40 with primary infertility without history of previous IVF/ICSI or hysteroscopic examination, were included. Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation was done. Hysteroscopy was performed in the early mid-follicular phase of a stimulation cycle (day 5-7) with a vaginoscopy approach and saline irrigation in hysteroscopy group. Embryo-transfer was done in the same cycle.

RESULTS

228 patients completed their participation in the study. In the fresh cycle, clinical pregnancy rate was 46% in the hysteroscopy group and 40.43% in the control group. (p-value= 0.326, RR= 1.16 [95%CI: 0.862 to 1.56]). Live birth rate was 41.28% in the hysteroscopic group and 31.93% in the control group (p-value=0.143, RR= 1.293 [95%CI: 0.916 to 1.825]). For those patients having surplus cryopreserved embryos, after 2 months, a second embryo transfer was performed. The cumulative LBR was 44.05% in the hysteroscopic group and 32.25% in the control group (p-value=0.029, RR= 1.368 [95%CI: 1.031 to 1.815], RD= 11.9% [95%CI: 1.2% to 22.3%] and NNT= 8 [95%CI: 4 to 85]).

CONCLUSION

The current study clearly demonstrated a significantly higher cumulative live birth rate in the intervention group.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

[https://www.irct.ir/trial/19586], identifier IRCT2016011022795N2.

Tubal Flushing Treatment for Unexplained Infertility

Tubal patency testing was initially introduced as a diagnostic test. However, it has been observed that some tubal patency tests also have a therapeutic effect. This therapeutic effect can be influenced by the contrast medium used during tubal flushing. In this review, we discuss current evidence associated with different methods for tubal flushing and their potential impact on reproductive outcomes in women with unexplained infertility. Furthermore, we discuss their diagnostic accuracy, safety, and cost-effectiveness.

Effectiveness on fertility outcome of tubal flushing with different contrast media: systematic review and network meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

To compare, in women with infertility, the effectiveness and safety of tubal flushing using oil-based contrast medium, water-based contrast medium or their combination, and no tubal flushing, and to evaluate the effectiveness of tubal flushing on fertility outcome over time.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review and network meta-analysis, searching the electronic databases MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and trial registries, up to 25 September 2018. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the following interventions with each other or with no intervention in women with infertility: tubal flushing using water-based contrast medium, tubal flushing using oil-based contrast medium or additional tubal flushing with oil-based medium following diagnostic tubal flushing with water-based medium. The outcomes included clinical pregnancy, live birth, ongoing pregnancy, miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy and adverse events.

RESULTS

Of the 283 studies identified through the search, 14 RCTs reporting on 3852 women with infertility were included. Network meta-analysis showed that tubal flushing using oil-based contrast medium was associated with higher odds of clinical pregnancy within 6 months after randomization and more subsequent live births compared with tubal flushing using water-based medium (odds ratio (OR), 1.67 (95% CI, 1.38-2.03), moderate certainty of evidence; and OR, 2.18 (95% CI, 1.30-3.65), low certainty of evidence, respectively) and compared with no intervention (OR, 2.28 (95% CI, 1.50-3.47), moderate certainty of evidence; and OR, 2.85 (95% CI, 1.41-5.74), low certainty of evidence, respectively). These results agreed with those of the pairwise meta-analysis. For clinical pregnancy within 6 months, there was insufficient evidence of a difference between tubal flushing with water-based contrast medium and no intervention (OR, 1.36 (95% CI, 0.91-2.04), low certainty of evidence). For fertility outcomes after 6 months, there was insufficient evidence of a difference in any comparison (low to very low certainty of evidence). Compared with tubal flushing using water-based contrast medium, the use of oil-based contrast medium was associated with higher odds of asymptomatic intravasation (OR, 5.06 (95% CI, 2.29-11.18), moderate certainty of evidence).

CONCLUSIONS

In women with infertility undergoing fertility workup, tubal flushing using oil-based contrast medium probably increases clinical pregnancy rates within 6 months after randomization and may increase subsequent live-birth rates, compared with tubal flushing using water-based contrast medium and compared with no intervention. Evidence on fertility outcomes beyond 6 months is inadequate to draw firm conclusions. Copyright © 2019 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Endometrial Flushing Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha and Interleukin 2 Levels in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Leiomyoma and Endometrioma: Comparison with Healthy Controls

Introduction An important open question in the literature is whether endometrial receptivity marker levels are different in infertility related diseases than healthy women. The aim of the study is to compare the levels of interleukin two (IL-2) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) during the implantation window in the endometrial flushing fluid of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometrioma, leiomyoma patients with healthy controls. Material and Methods In this case control study, after obtaining endometrial flushing fluids at mid-luteal phase of ovulatory women with PCOS (n = 20), endometrioma (n = 19), leiomyoma (n = 20) and healthy controls (n = 20), IL-2 and TNF-α levels were measured using ELISA kits in BioTek ELISA devices. Results Mean TNF-α levels (ng/mL) were similar for the PCOS (305.6, p = 0.220) and the leiomyoma group (246.3, p = 0.502) compared to healthy patients (261.1). However, the levels were higher in the endometrioma group (338.2, p = 0,004) than the control group (261.1) in a statistically significant way. Mean IL-2 levels (ng/mL) were significantly lower in the PCOS (290.9, p = 0.0005), the leiomyoma (282.9, p = 0.0002) and the endometrioma patients (229.5, p = 0.0009) than the control group (416.0). Conclusion Relative to the control group, endometrial flushing fluid TNF-α levels were significantly higher in endometrioma patients and IL-2 levels were significantly lower in PCOS, leiomyoma and endometrioma patients. In benign gynecological diseases, endometrial markers related to infertility seem to show differences in endometrial flushing fluid. Future studies might identify the reference values for these markers, and endometrial markers can be used to diagnose gynecologic disorders causing infertility.

Hysterosalpingosonography Is Not as Effective as Hysterosalpingography to Increase Chances of Pregnancy

OBJECTIVE

This study sought to examine whether hysterosalpingosonography (sono-HSG) is as effective as hysterosalpingography (HSG) in facilitating conception by comparing pregnancy rates in the 6 months following the procedures.

METHODS

This retrospective noninferiority study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2) was conducted at a tertiary university centre. The investigators studied 440 consecutive eligible infertile women. Bilateral tubal occlusion, severe male infertility, and having undergone both procedures were exclusion criteria. Tubal testing, as part of the infertility workup, was performed by either sono-HSG or HSG. The primary outcome was pregnancy, defined as a positive fetal heartbeat on ultrasonographic examination, in the 6 months following the procedure.

RESULTS

A total of 57 pregnancies (26%) were observed in the HSG group and 33 (15%) in the sono-HSG group. Adjusted and non-adjusted relative risks of pregnancy in the 6 months following sono-HSG compared with HSG were 0.61 (95% CI 0.42-0.89) and 0.58 (95% CI 0.39-0.85). Adverse events were infrequent with both procedures (sono-HSG, 1%; HSG, 4%; P = 0.16).

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that uterine flushing as performed during sono-HSG is not as effective as when performed during HSG to increase the chances of pregnancy, but further studies will be required because of bias related to the retrospective study design.