Comparison of follitropin beta administered by a pen device with follitropin beta administered by a conventional syringe in patients undergoing IVF-ET / 대한생식의학회지

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness and convenience of a pen device for the self-administration of follitropin beta with a conventional syringe delivering follitropin beta solution in patients undergoing IVF-ET. METHODS: GnRH agonist long protocol was used for controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) in all subjects. A total of 100 patients were randomized into the pen device group or the conventional syringe group on the first day of COS. Local tolerance reactions were assessed within 5 minutes, at 1 hour and at 3 hours after each injection. On the day of hCG injection, patients were asked to rate their overall pain and convenience experienced with self-injection on a visual anlaogue scale (VAS). RESULTS: There were no differences in patients' characteristics between the two groups. The duration of COS was significantly shorter in the pen device group than in the conventional syringe group. Patients included in the pen device group needed a significantly smaller amount of follitropin beta. However, no differences between the two groups were found in IVF results and pregnancy outcome. The incidence of local pain within 5 minutes, at 1 hour and at 3 hours after the injection was significantly lower in the pen device group. VAS scores indicated that injections using the pen device were significantly less painful and more convenient. CONCLUSION: The pen device for self-administration of follitropin beta is less painful, safer and more convenient for the patients, and can be more effective because of the shorter duration and smaller dose of follitropin beta when compared with the conventional syringe.