Repeat IVF among first time failures: A Philippine experience / Philippine Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

ABSTRACT

This is a prevalence study of patients seeking IVF treatment cycle for the second time and includes patients seen from 1996 to 2009. Patients were grouped into two based on the time period of treatment. The first 100 were seen from 1996- 2002 and the second 100 were seen from 2003 to 2009. Of the 200 seen, 11% opted for a second cycle of treatment (5% coming from the first batch increasing to 17% from the second batch). Using chi-square with a P value of 0.007, this 12% difference is significant. Comparing the two groups based on age (regardless of number of IVF procedures administered), there is no significant difference between the two groups (P=0.28). The mean age in both groups was 35 years. Ages of patients ranged from 22-47, most frequent occurring age was 32 years. Of those who had second cycles, there was no significant difference in the mean age of patients in batches 1 & 2 (P=0.29) with the mean age of 35 years and ages ranged from 28-41. In terms of outcome (pregnancy rate), out of the 22 (total from both batches) who received second treatment, 8 achieved pregnancy (36.4% pregnancy rate; 3 from batch 1 and 5 from batch 2). Comparing outcomes between batches, there was no significant difference (P=0.30). Given the small number of subject who had obtained IVF treatment in the Philippines in a span of thirteen years since the first center was put up, the paper then explores the possible reasons for these. Such reasons ranged from economic concerns, government prioritization of national health issues, public awareness and personal biases. Despite the small number of patients seeking IVF, there was a significant rise in number of couples obtaining a second cycle in the second (later) group of subjects studied. Reasons for this also explored and may involve physician-patient rapport, better lay knowledge of the techniques, lesser apprehension and improved facilities and techniques.