Economic evaluation of elective single-embryo transfer with subsequent single frozen embryo transfer in an in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection program.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the cost-effectiveness of IVF-ICSI cycles with elective single-embryo transfer (eSET), plus elective single frozen embryo transfer (eSFET) if pregnancy is not achieved, compared with double-embryo transfer (DET). DESIGN: Cost-effectiveness analysis. SETTING: Public hospital. PATIENT(S): A population of 121 women (<38 years old), undergoing their first or second IVF cycles. INTERVENTION(S): We conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis using the results of a prospective clinical trial. The women in group 1 received eSET plus eSFET, and those in group 2 received DET. A probabilistic sensitivity analysis was performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Live birth delivery rate. RESULT(S): The cumulative live birth delivery rate was 38.60% in the eSET+eSFET group versus 42.19% in the DET group. The mean costs per patient were €5,614.11 in the eSET+eSFET group and €5,562.29 in the DET group. These differences were not statistically significant. The rate of multiple gestation was significantly lower in the eSET group than in the DET group (0 vs. 25.9%). CONCLUSION(S): This study does not show that eSET is superior to DET in terms of effectiveness or of costs. The lack of superiority of the results for the eSET+eSFET and the DET groups corroborates that the choice of strategy to be adopted should be determined by the context of the health care system and the individual prognosis.

Coste de las técnicas de reproducción asistida en un hospital público

Objetivos: La mayoría de trabajos sobre costes de las técnicas de reproducción asistida (TRA) identifican el coste directo del procedimiento, sin considerar elementos como loscostes estructurales o intermedios, de gran importancia. Elobjetivo de este trabajo es calcular el coste por proceso delas TRA realizadas en un hospital público en 2003 y compararlo con los resultados de 1998 en el mismo centro.Métodos: El estudio se realiza en la Unidad de Reproducción Humana (URH) del Hospital Universitario Virgen de lasNieves de Granada en 1998 y 2003. Partiendo de los costestotales de dicha unidad, y mediante una metodología de distribución de costes basada en la estructura de costes, calculamos el coste por proceso de las TRA realizadas en estecentro, considerando los costes completos.Resultados: Entre 1998 y 2003, la actividad y los costes dela URH analizada evolucionan de forma distinta. El análisis dela actividad muestra la consolidación de técnicas, como la microinyección espermática (ICSI) y la desaparición de otras (ciclosin reproducción asistida e inseminación artificial conyugal intracervical). En todos los procesos, los costes unitarios por cicloy por embarazo disminuyen en el período analizado.Conclusiones: Se han producido importantes cambios en laestructura de costes de las TRA de la URH-HUVN entre 1998-2003. Mientras algunos procesos desaparecen, otros se consolidan con una elevada actividad. Los avances técnicos y lasinnovaciones organizativas, junto con un «efecto aprendizaje», han alterado la estructura de costes de las TRA.

Normalization of widespread pressure pain hypersensitivity after total hip replacement in patients with hip osteoarthritis is associated with clinical and functional improvements.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relevance of ongoing nociceptive joint inputs to the maintenance of widespread pain hypersensitivity in patients with hip osteoarthritis (OA) and to determine whether a reversal in the widespread pressure hypersensitivity together with an improvement in pain and function occurs after total hip replacement in these patients. METHODS: Forty patients with hip OA participated. Twenty patients underwent total hip replacement, and the other 20 patients were assigned to a waiting list. Pressure-pain thresholds (PPTs) over the second metacarpal bone and the gluteus medius, vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, and tibialis anterior muscles were assessed bilaterally with a pressure algometer before and 3 months after total hip replacement surgery. Assessments of pain intensity (by visual analog scale [VAS]), physical function (by the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index), and health status (by the Short Form 12 health survey and the EuroQol 5-domain index) were also performed. RESULTS: Patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty exhibited a reduction in widespread pressure pain hyperalgesia (increases in PPTs) over local and distant pain-free areas, as compared with before surgery and as compared with the patients assigned to the waiting list. PPTs were related to hip pain intensity, and significant correlations were found between higher VAS scores and lower average PPTs over all points assessed (-0.409 < r < -0.306, P < 0.05). Patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty exhibited a greater decrease in pain intensity and greater increases in function and health status than did those who were on the waiting list. Changes in the intensity of hip pain were moderately associated with changes in pressure pain sensitivity in the hip arthroplasty group. CONCLUSION: Normalization of widespread pressure pain hyperalgesia was found after successful hip joint replacement in patients with hip OA. Altered pain processing seems to be driven by ongoing peripheral joint pathology, which stresses the importance of reducing pain in OA.

Body mass index as predictor of health-related quality-of-life changes after total hip arthroplasty: a cross-over study.

The objective of this study was to examine the contribution of patient weight and other preoperative variables to improvements in the general physical health of patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA). Data were prospectively collected on 63 THA patients (28 males and 35 females). The primary outcome measure was the improvement in general health (Short Form-12 Health Survey questionnaire) at three months post-THA. Patients with body mass index >28kg/m(2) showed greater improvements in function and in the physical component of general health after THA. Stepwise regression analyses revealed that the BMI and WOMAC general index were independent and significant predictors of physical function and together explained 34.2% of the variance in physical function scores. These findings suggest that the body mass index before surgery and improvements in hip function are relevant contributors to post-THA improvements in general health.

Diagnostic accuracy, effectiveness and cost for cognitive impairment and dementia screening of three short cognitive tests applicable to illiterates.

BACKGROUND: Illiteracy, a universal problem, limits the utilization of the most widely used short cognitive tests. Our objective was to assess and compare the effectiveness and cost for cognitive impairment (CI) and dementia (DEM) screening of three short cognitive tests applicable to illiterates. METHODS: Phase III diagnostic test evaluation study was performed during one year in four Primary Care centers, prospectively including individuals with suspicion of CI or DEM. All underwent the Eurotest, Memory Alteration Test (M@T), and Phototest, applied in a balanced manner. Clinical, functional, and cognitive studies were independently performed in a blinded fashion in a Cognitive Behavioral Neurology Unit, and the gold standard diagnosis was established by consensus of expert neurologists on the basis of these results. Effectiveness of tests was assessed as the proportion of correct diagnoses (diagnostic accuracy [DA]) and the kappa index of concordance (k) with respect to gold standard diagnoses. Costs were based on public prices at the time and hospital accounts. RESULTS: The study included 139 individuals: 47 with DEM, 36 with CI, and 56 without CI. No significant differences in effectiveness were found among the tests. For DEM screening: Eurotest (k = 0.71 [0.59-0.83], DA = 0.87 [0.80-0.92]), M@T (k = 0.72 [0.60-0.84], DA = 0.87 [0.80-0.92]), Phototest (k = 0.70 [0.57-0.82], DA = 0.86 [0.79-0.91]). For CI screening: Eurotest (k = 0.67 [0.55-0.79]; DA = 0.83 [0.76-0.89]), M@T (k = 0.52 [0.37-0.67]; DA = 0.80 [0.72-0.86]), Phototest (k = 0.59 [0.46-0.72]; DA = 0.79 [0.71-0.86]). There were no differences in the cost of DEM screening, but the cost of CI screening was significantly higher with M@T (330.7 ± 177.1 €, mean ± sd) than with Eurotest (294.1 ± 195.0 €) or Phototest (296.0 ± 196. 5 €). Application time was shorter with Phototest (2.8 ± 0.8 min) than with Eurotest (7.1 ± 1.8 min) or M@T (6.8 ± 2.2 min). CONCLUSIONS: Eurotest, M@T, and Phototest are equally effective. Eurotest and Phototest are both less expensive options but Phototest is the most efficient, requiring the shortest application time.

Effectiveness and costs of phototest in dementia and cognitive impairment screening.

BACKGROUND: To assess and compare the effectiveness and costs of Phototest, Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), and Memory Impairment Screen (MIS) to screen for dementia (DEM) and cognitive impairment (CI). METHODS: A phase III study was conducted over one year in consecutive patients with suspicion of CI or DEM at four Primary Care (PC) centers. After undergoing all screening tests at the PC center, participants were extensively evaluated by researchers blinded to screening test results in a Cognitive-Behavioral Neurology Unit (CBNU). The gold standard diagnosis was established by consensus of expert neurologists. Effectiveness was assessed by the proportion of correct diagnoses (diagnostic accuracy [DA]) and by the kappa index of concordance between test results and gold standard diagnoses. Costs were based on public prices and hospital accounts. RESULTS: The study included 140 subjects (48 with DEM, 37 with CI without DEM, and 55 without CI). The MIS could not be applied to 23 illiterate subjects (16.4%). For DEM, the maximum effectiveness of the MMSE was obtained with different cutoff points as a function of educational level [k = 0.31 (95% Confidence interval [95%CI], 0.19-0.43), DA = 0.60 (95%CI, 0.52-0.68)], and that of the MIS with a cutoff of 3/4 [k = 0.63 (95%CI, 0.48-0.78), DA = 0.83 (95%CI, 0.80-0.92)]. Effectiveness of the Phototest [k = 0.71 (95%CI, 0.59-0.83), DA = 0.87 (95%CI, 0.80-0.92)] was similar to that of the MIS and higher than that of the MMSE. Costs were higher with MMSE (275.9 ± 193.3€ [mean ± sd euros]) than with Phototest (208.2 ± 196.8€) or MIS (201.3 ± 193.4€), whose costs did not significantly differ. For CI, the effectiveness did not significantly differ between MIS [k = 0.59 (95%CI, 0.45-0.74), DA = 0.79 (95%CI, 0.64-0.97)] and Phototest [k = 0.58 (95%CI, 0.45-0.74), DA = 0.78 (95%CI, 0.64-0.95)] and was lowest for the MMSE [k = 0.27 (95%CI, 0.09-0.45), DA = 0.69 (95%CI, 0.56-0.84)]. Costs were higher for MMSE (393.4 ± 121.8€) than for Phototest (287.0 ± 197.4€) or MIS (300.1 ± 165.6€), whose costs did not significantly differ. CONCLUSION: MMSE is not an effective instrument in our setting. For both DEM and CI, the Phototest and MIS are more effective and less costly, with no difference between them. However, MIS could not be applied to the appreciable percentage of our population who were illiterate.

Validation of the Spanish version of the Index of Spouse Abuse.

BACKGROUND: Partner violence against women is a major public health problem. Although there are currently a number of validated screening and diagnostic tools that can be used to evaluate this type of violence, such tools are not available in Spain. The aim of this study is to analyze the validity and reliability of the Spanish version of the Index of Spouse Abuse (ISA). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 2005 in two health centers in Granada, Spain, in 390 women between 18 and 70 years old. Analyses of the factorial structure, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and construct validity were conducted. Cutoff points for each subscale were also defined. For the construct validity analysis, the SF-36 perceived general health dimension, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and the Goldberg 12-item General Health Questionnaire were included. RESULTS: The psychometric analysis shows that the instrument has good internal consistency, reproducibility, and construct validity. CONCLUSIONS: The scale is useful for the analysis of partner violence against women in both a research setting and a healthcare setting.

[Validation of the short version of the Woman Abuse Screening Tool for use in primary care in Spain]. / Validación de la versión corta del Woman Abuse Screening Tool para su uso en atención primaria en España.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the criterion validity of the Spanish short version of the Woman Abuse Screening Tool (WAST) to identify battered women among those attending primary health care services in Spain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study in two primary care centers in Granada. A total of 390 women between 18 and 70 years old were studied. The Index of Spouse Abuse (ISA) was used as the gold standard. RESULTS: Two score criteria were used. Using the first criterion, 132 women (33.8%) scored positively. The sensitivity was 91.4%, specificity was 76.2%, positive predictive value 40.2% and negative predictive value was 98.1%. Five women with a negative WAST score obtained a positive ISA score (false negatives). Seventy-nine women obtained a positive score in the WAST, with a negative score in the ISA (false positives). CONCLUSIONS: These results coincide with the sensitivity and specificity values obtained in the validation of the instrument in Spanish-speaking women in the USA, which also recommend the use of the first criterion. The Spanish short version of the WAST is a suitable instrument to be used by health professionals for the early detection of gender violence in the healthcare context of Spain. However, because of its low specificity, this instrument should be used with caution.

Validación de la versión corta del Woman Abuse Screening Tool para su uso en atención primaria en España / Validation of the short version of the Woman Abuse Screening Tool for use in primary care in Spain

Objetivo: Examinar la validez de criterio de la versión cortaen español del Woman Abuse Screening Tool (WAST) paraidentificar a las mujeres maltratadas entre las que acuden alos servicios de atención primaria en España.Material y métodos: Estudio transversal en dos centros deatención primaria de Granada. Se estudiaron 390 mujeres entre18 y 70 años de edad asistentes a estos centros. Se utilizóel Index of Spouse Abuse (ISA) como patrón de referencia.Resultados: Se utilizaron dos criterios de puntuación. Segúnel primero, cabe destacar que 132 mujeres (33,8%) dieron positivoen el cribado. La sensibilidad fue del 91,4%, la especificidaddel 76,2%, el valor predictivo positivo del 40,2% y elnegativo del 98,1%. Cinco mujeres con una puntuación negativaen el cribado obtuvieron una puntuación positiva en elISA (falsos negativos). Setenta y nueve mujeres obtuvieronuna puntuación positiva en el WAST, con una puntuación negativaen el ISA (falsos positivos).Conclusiones: Estos resultados coinciden con los valores desensibilidad y especificidad obtenidos en la validación del instrumentoen mujeres hispanohablantes de Estados Unidos,que también recomiendan la utilización del primer criterio depuntuación. La versión corta en español del WAST es un instrumentoadecuado para los profesionales en la detección tempranade la violencia de género en el ámbito sanitario español,aunque la baja especificidad hace que deba utilizarse concautela(AU)

Objective: To examine the criterion validity of the Spanishshort version of the Woman Abuse Screening Tool (WAST)to identify battered women among those attending primary healthcare services in Spain.Material and methods: We performed a cross-sectional studyin two primary care centers in Granada. A total of 390 womenbetween 18 and 70 years old were studied. The Index of SpouseAbuse (ISA) was used as the gold standard.Results: Two score criteria were used. Using the first criterion,132 women (33.8%) scored positively. The sensitivity was91.4%, specificity was 76.2%, positive predictive value 40.2%and negative predictive value was 98.1%. Five women with anegative WAST score obtained a positive ISA score (false negatives).Seventy-nine women obtained a positive score in theWAST, with a negative score in the ISA (false positives).Conclusions: These results coincide with the sensitivity andspecificity values obtained in the validation of the instrumentin Spanish-speaking women in the USA, which also recommendthe use of the first criterion. The Spanish short versionof the WAST is a suitable instrument to be used by health professionalsfor the early detection of gender violence in the healthcarecontext of Spain. However, because of its low specificity,this instrument should be used with caution(AU)

Cost-outcome analysis of joint replacement: evidence from a Spanish public hospital.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Efficiency-based healthcare decision-making has been widely accepted for some time, with cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) as the main outcome measure. Nevertheless, for numerous medical procedures, little data are available on the cost per QALY gained. The aim of the present study was to calculate the cost per QALY gained with primary hip and knee replacement and to compare the result with the cost per QALY for other medical procedures, as well as with the maximum threshold cost considered acceptable in Spain. METHODS: We performed a prospective cohort pre-test/post-test study of patients undergoing primary hip or knee arthroplasty. Age, sex, and clinical variables were recorded. Functional status and quality of life were measured by means of the WOMAC and EuroQol instruments, respectively, before the intervention and 6 months later. The direct costs of the intervention were calculated, with length of hospital stay and the prosthesis as the main cost drivers. RESULTS: A total of 80 patients, 40 from each intervention, were included in this study. Both functional and perceived health status improved after the intervention. The number of QALYs gained in the knee cohort was 4.64, while that in the hip cohort was 0.86. The total cost of knee replacement was lower (6,865.52 euro) than that of hip replacement (7,891.21 euro). The cost per QALY gained was 1,275.84 euro and 7,936.12 euro for knee and hip interventions, respectively. The calculations performed included a 6% discount rate for health outcomes, a 3% inflation rate for costs, and a success rate of 95% at 15 years. CONCLUSIONS: The costs of both knee and hip replacement were lower than the threshold of 30,000 euro per QALY considered acceptable in Spain, and compared favorably with other medical and surgical procedures.

Cost-outcome analysis of joint replacement: evidence from a Spanish public hospital / Análisis coste-resultado del remplazo de articulaciones. Evidencia de un hospital público español

Fundamento y objetivos: Está ampliamente aceptada la tomade decisiones sanitarias basada en la eficiencia, con el coste por año de vida ajustado por la calidad (AVAC) como medida de resultado. No obstante, aún es escasa la disponibilidad de datos de coste por AVAC de las intervenciones. El objetivo de este trabajo es calcular el coste por AVAC ganado en artroplastia de cadera y rodilla, y compararlo con los costes por AVAC de otras intervenciones, así como con el umbral máximo establecido.Métodos: Estudio de cohortes prospectivo pre-test post-test de pacientes intervenidos de prótesis primaria de cadera o rodilla. Se recogieron variables demográficas, clínicas, funcionales y del estado de salud percibida antes de la intervención y 6 meses después de ésta, mediante los cuestionarios WOMAC y EuroQol, respectivamente. Se calcularon los costesdirectos de la intervención, considerando la prótesis y la duración de la estancia como determinantes principales del gasto.Resultados: Se incluyeron 80 pacientes, 40 por cada articulación. El estado funcional y la salud autopercibida mejoraron tras la intervención. Se ganaron 4,64 y 0,86 AVAC en intervenciones de rodilla y cadera, respectivamente. El coste por proceso de prótesis de rodilla fue de 6.865,52 € y de cadera de 7.891,21 €. El coste por AVAC ganado es de 1.275,84 € y 7.936,12 € para las intervenciones de rodilla y cadera, respectivamente.Se ha tenido en cuenta una tasa de descuento para los resultados en salud del 6%, una inflación del 3%y una tasa de éxito de las intervenciones del 95% a 15 años.Conclusiones: El coste por AVAC ganado tras artroplastiade rodilla y cadera está dentro del límite considerado aceptable en España (30.000 € por AVAC) y resulta bien posicionado en comparación con otras intervenciones

Background and objectives: Efficiency-based healthcare decision-making has been widely accepted for some time, with cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) as the main outcome measure. Nevertheless, for numerous medical procedures, little data are available on the cost per QALY gained. The aim of the present study was to calculate the cost per QALY gained with primary hip and knee replacement and to compare the result with the cost per QALY for other medical procedures, as well as with the maximum threshold cost considered acceptable in Spain.Methods: We performed a prospective cohort pretest/posttest study of patients undergoing primary hip or knee arthroplasty. Age, sex, and clinical variables were recorded. Functional status and quality of life were measured by means of the WOMAC and EuroQol instruments, respectively, before the intervention and 6 months later. The direct costs of the interventionwere calculated, with length of hospital stay and theprosthesis as the main cost drivers.Results: A total of 80 patients, 40 from each intervention, were included in this study. Both functional and perceived health status improved after the intervention. The number of QALYs gainedin the knee cohort was 4.64, while that in the hip cohortwas 0.86. The total cost of knee replacement was lower(6,865.52 €) than that of hip replacement (7,891.21 €). The cost per QALY gained was 1,275.84 € and 7,936.12 € for knee and hip interventions, respectively. The calculations performed included a 6% discount rate for health outcomes, a 3% inflation rate for costs, and a success rate of 95% at 15 years.Conclusions: The costs of both knee and hip replacementwere lower than the threshold of 30,000 € per QALY considered acceptable in Spain, and compared favorably with other medical and surgical procedures

Analysis of the impact of fibromyalgia on quality of life: associated factors.

We analysed the impact of fibromyalgia (FM) on the functional capacity of patients suffering this syndrome and identified factors that are associated with greater disease impact. We performed a cross-sectional descriptive telephone survey on all patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia during 2003 in a university hospital in Spain. Variables studied were socio-demographic, job, clinical, health and psycho-social characteristics of patients diagnosed with FM and impact of FM on them. Disease impact was measured by means of the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ). The rest of variables were collected by means of an expressly designed questionnaire. The relation between FIQ score and the other variables was performed with a bivariate analysis, using several tests depending on the variables involved. To analyse the factors associated with greatest disease impact, a multivariate linear regression model was designed. The average FIQ score for the sample was 63.6. Having a larger number of children, being tired and being in a depressed mood were the symptoms that most affected activities of daily living. A diagnosis of any mental illness, reference to repercussion on the family environment, a lower self-rated health and having consulted more specialists before FM diagnosis were associated with a higher impact after adjusting according to all the variables in the model. It can be confirmed that the FIQ is a useful instrument for measuring the impact of FM on quality of life. Identifying factors that determine the extent of its impact will enable more effective therapeutic strategies to be designed.

[Cost of assisted reproduction technology in a public hospital]. / Coste de las técnicas de reproducción asistida en un hospital público.

OBJECTIVES: Most studies on the costs of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) identify the total cost of the procedure with the direct cost, without considering important items such as overhead or intermediate costs. The objective of this study was to determine the cost per ART procedure in a public hospital in 2003 and to compare the results with those in the same hospital in 1998. METHODS: Data from the Human Reproduction Unit of the Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital in Granada (Spain) from 1998 and 2003 were analyzed. Since the total costs of the unit were known, the cost of the distinct ART procedures performed in the hospital was calculated by means of a methodology for cost distribution. RESULTS: Between 1998 and 2003, the activity and costs of the Human Reproduction Unit analyzed evolved differently. Analysis of activity showed that some techniques, such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection, were consolidated while others, such as stimulation without assisted reproduction or intracervical insemination were abandoned. In all procedures, unit costs per cycle and per delivery decreased in the period analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: Important changes took place in the structure of costs of ART in the Human Reproduction Unit of the Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital between 1998 and 2003. Some techniques were discontinued, while others gained importance. Technological advances and structural innovations, together with a "learning effect," modified the structure of ART-related costs.

Coste de las técnicas de reproducción asistida en un hospital público / Cost of assisted reproduction technology in a public hospital

Objetivos: La mayoría de trabajos sobre costes de las técnicas de reproducción asistida (TRA) identifican el coste directo del procedimiento, sin considerar elementos como los costes estructurales o intermedios, de gran importancia. El objetivo de este trabajo es calcular el coste por proceso de las TRA realizadas en un hospital público en 2003 y compararlo con los resultados de 1998 en el mismo centro. Métodos: El estudio se realiza en la Unidad de Reproducción Humana (URH) del Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves de Granada en 1998 y 2003. Partiendo de los costes totales de dicha unidad, y mediante una metodología de distribución de costes basada en la estructura de costes, calculamos el coste por proceso de las TRA realizadas en este centro, considerando los costes completos. Resultados: Entre 1998 y 2003, la actividad y los costes de la URH analizada evolucionan de forma distinta. El análisis de la actividad muestra la consolidación de técnicas, como la microinyección espermática (ICSI) y la desaparición de otras (ciclo sin reproducción asistida e inseminación artificial conyugal intracervical). En todos los procesos, los costes unitarios por ciclo y por embarazo disminuyen en el período analizado. Conclusiones: Se han producido importantes cambios en la estructura de costes de las TRA de la URH-HUVN entre 1998-2003. Mientras algunos procesos desaparecen, otros se consolidan con una elevada actividad. Los avances técnicos y las innovaciones organizativas, junto con un «efecto aprendizaje», han alterado la estructura de costes de las TRA

Objectives: Most studies on the costs of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) identify the total cost of the procedure with the direct cost, without considering important items such as overhead or intermediate costs. The objective of this study was to determine the cost per ART procedure in a public hospital in 2003 and to compare the results with those in the same hospital in 1998. Methods: Data from the Human Reproduction Unit of the Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital in Granada (Spain) from 1998 and 2003 were analyzed. Since the total costs of the unit were known, the cost of the distinct ART procedures performed in the hospital was calculated by means of a methodology for cost distribution. Results: Between 1998 and 2003, the activity and costs of the Human Reproduction Unit analyzed evolved differently. Analysis of activity showed that some techniques, such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection, were consolidated while others, such as stimulation without assisted reproduction or intracervical insemination were abandoned. In all procedures, unit costs per cycle and per delivery decreased in the period analyzed. Conclusions: Important changes took place in the structure of costs of ART in the Human Reproduction Unit of the Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital between 1998 and 2003. Some techniques were discontinued, while others gained importance. Technological advances and structural innovations, together with a «learning effect», modified the structure of ART-related costs