ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: While Israel is by far number one in the world of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments per capita, detailed information about the outcome of these treatments is not available. OBJECTIVES: To describe IVF activity during the years 2007-2010 in Maccabi Healthcare Services, an independent health provider that reimburses IVF treatments. METHODS: Data on IVF cycles and live births were collected from the Maccabi Healthcare Services infertility registry and analyzed by year and age at cycle start. RESULTS: During the four years surveyed, the average patients' age rose from 35.12 to 36.19 years. The number of IVF treatments increased by 50%, while the "live birth" rate fell from 18.8% in 2007, to 14.8% in 2010. A drop in success rate was noted in patients >35 years of age, and more so in patients >40 years of age. Beyond 43 years of age, the success rate was in the low one digit range. The estimated cost of a single live birth in this age group is NIS 399,000. SUMMARY: The clinical results are not encouraging relative to IVF outcomes in Europe and the U.S.A. SurprisingLy, and contrary to worldwide trends, the success rate in Israel decreased during the surveyed years. We speculate that the main reason is that many IVF treatments are conducted in patients that a priori have a very low chance of success. A nationwide prospective IVF registry should be implemented.
