Clinical value of endometriosis fertility index used to predict pregrancy rate and guide the treatment of patients with endometriosis-associated infertility following the surgery

Objective　To investigate the value of endometriosis fertility index (EFI) in predicting the pregnancy rate (PR) of patients with endometriosis-associated infertility (EAI) after laparoscopic conservative treatment, and provide some guidance for postoperative management. Methods　The clinical data were retrospectively analyzed of patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery for infertility due to endometriosis (EMT) in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University from Jan. 2011 to Dec. 2016. The patients were divided into combined group and operation group accordingto whether or not they combined use of GnRHa postoperatively, natural pregnancy group and ART group according to whether or not the patients turn to artificial assisted reproduction (ART). The accumulative PR of each group was added up 6, 12, 24 and 36 months after treatment. Results　The higher the EFI score, the higher the accumulative PR. For the patients with the EFI as 5-8, the PR was significantly higher in combined group than in operation group. All the patients in operation group and combined group showed the fastest increase of pregnancy within 6 months after the end of treatment. Combined with GnRHa treatment increased the expectation of EFI 5-8 group. Conclusions　EFI shows a good prediction value for the natural PR of EAI patients after surgery and for the patients with EFI score as 5-8. It is recommended for the patients with EFI score as 5-8 to use GnRHa in combination after surgery, and appropriately lengthening the expectant time according to the circumstances. DOI: 10.11855/j.issn.0577-7402.2018.08.09