Efficacy of treatment for unexplained infertility

Guzick DS, DavidS Guzick, D S Guzick, Sullivan MW, M W Sullivan, M. Sullivan, G D Adamson, G. David Adamson, M I Cedars, MarcelleI Cedars, Cedars MI, R J Falk, Falk RJ, RichardJ Falk, EdwinP Peterson, E P Peterson, Peterson EP, M P Steinkampf, Steinkampf MP, MichaelP Steinkampf
Fertility and sterility · 1998 · vol. 70(2) , pp. 207–213 · doi:10.1016/s0015-0282(98)00177-0 · PMID:9696208 · W1987639062
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This retrospective analysis compared pregnancy rates and costs for various unexplained infertility treatments, finding clomiphene citrate + IUI to be the most cost-effective option.

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of alternative treatments for unexplained infertility. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of 45 published reports. SETTING: Clinical practices. PATIENT(S): Couples who met criteria for unexplained infertility. Women with Stage I or Stage II endometriosis were included. INTERVENTION(S): Observation; clomiphene citrate (CC); gonadotropins (hMG); IUI; and GIFT and IVF. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Clinical pregnancy rate. RESULT(S): Combined pregnancy rates per initiated cycle, adjusted for study quality, were as follows: no treatment = 1.3%-4.1%; IUI = 3.8%; CC = 5.6%; CC + IUI = 8.3%; hMG = 7.7%; hMG + IUI = 17.1%; IVF = 20.7%; GIFT = 27.0%. The estimated cost per pregnancy was $10,000 for CC + IUI, $17,000 for hMG + IUI, and $50,000 for IVF. CONCLUSION(S): Clomiphene citrate + IUI is a cost-effective treatment for unexplained infertility. If this treatment fails, hMG + IUI and assisted reproduction are efficacious therapeutic options.

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Condition tags

endometriosisinfertility

MeSH descriptors

Infertility Cost-Benefit Analysis Cost-Benefit Analysis Female Female Fertilization in Vitro Fertilization in Vitro Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer Humans Humans Infertility Infertility Infertility Insemination, Artificial Insemination, Artificial Pregnancy Pregnancy Pregnancy Rate Pregnancy Rate

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References (68)

Cited by (41)

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License: CC0 · commercial use OK