Clinical outcomes of frozen embryo transfer cycles after freeze-all policy to prevent ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) and ongoing pregnancy rate (OPR) in frozen embryo transfers (FETs) following either freeze-all policy to prevent ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS; freeze-all group) or excess embryo cryopreservation after fresh embryo transfer (surplus group). METHODS: The freeze-all group comprised 44 FET cycles performed in 25 women between 2010 and 2016. The surplus group comprised 53 FET cycles performed in 47 women during the same period. The cumulative CPR and OPR according to duration of cryopreservation (interval between cryopreservation and FET) was estimated using Kaplan-Meier plots. Cox regression analysis was used for identifying factor to affect to cryopreservation duration in cycles with pregnancy. RESULTS: In day 2–4 transfer cycles, the crude CPR (40% vs. 18.2%) and OPR (20% vs. 4.5%) were similar between the 2 groups. In day 5 transfer, the crude CPR (33.3% vs. 38.7%) and OPR (33.3% vs. 29%) were also similar between the 2 groups. The cumulative CPR (100% vs. 47.5%) and OPR (100% vs. 33.3%) in day 2–4 transfer as well as the cumulative CPR (46.7% vs. 100%) and OPR (46.7% and 74.8%) in day 5 transfer were also similar between the 2 groups. The median duration of cryopreservation was significantly shorter in the freeze-all group than in the surplus group (19.8 vs. 36.9 weeks, P=0.04). Previous history of delivery was the only factor associated with a shorter cryopreservation duration in cycles with pregnancy (hazard ratio, 0.18; 95% confidence interval, 0.05–0.65; P=0.01). CONCLUSION: Freezing embryos to prevent OHSS and transferring the frozen embryos later may guarantee an acceptable reproductive outcome.

Risk factors and factors affecting the severity of overactive bladder symptoms in Korean women who use public health centers

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence, risk factors of overactive bladder (OAB) and the factors affecting the severity of OAB symptoms. METHODS: A total 822 interviews with women aged 18–80 years who visited public health centers were conducted between April 2014 and April 2015. The questionnaire was composed of 16 questions about urinary symptoms, 14 questions about self-treatment and the use of complementary and alternative medicine, and 21 questions about socio-demographic characteristics. The diagnostic criterion for OAB is a total OAB symptom score of 3 and more, with an urgency score of 2 or more. To know the risk factors and factors affecting the severity of OAB, the multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-seven participants (19.3%) were diagnosed with OAB, of whom 10.7%, 8.1%, and 0.7% had mild, moderate, and severe OAB symptoms, respectively. In addition, the prevalence of OAB increased with age. Among all the participants, 39.1% had stress incontinence, among them 32.7% had OAB as well. The significant risk factors of OAB were identified as age, current smoking, hyperlipidemia, cardiovascular and renal disease, whereas, the factors affecting the severity of OAB were age, current smoking, and hyperlipidemia. CONCLUSION: Those who have risk factors and factors affecting severity of OAB should be educated to increase OAB awareness and act of urinary health promotion.