Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2026
09:35
Modified MicroSecure Vitrification: A Safe, Simple and Highly Effective Cryopreservation Procedure for Human Blastocysts
Published on: March 2, 2017
Can differences in IVF success rates between centres be explained by patient characteristics and sample size?
A M E Lintsen1, D D M Braat, J D F Habbema
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands. a.lintsen@obgyn.umcn.nl
Human Reproduction (Oxford, England)
|October 20, 2009
Summary
Patient mix explains only a small portion of the pregnancy rate variations between in vitro fertilization (IVF) centers. True differences in IVF clinic performance persist after accounting for patient characteristics.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine
- In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
- Clinical Performance Analysis
Background:
- Comparing in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinic performance using raw pregnancy rates is unreliable due to significant patient demographic differences.
- This study investigates whether disparities in pregnancy success rates between IVF centers persist after adjusting for patient case-mix.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the extent to which patient mix influences observed differences in pregnancy rates among IVF centers.
- To identify if true performance variations exist between IVF centers after accounting for patient factors.
Main Methods:
- Prospective data collection from 11 Dutch IVF centers (2002-2004) for IVF and ICSI treatments.
- Application of a random effects model to adjust for sampling variation.
- Utilized a prognostic index for subfertility factors to adjust for patient mix differences.
Main Results:
- Crude 1-year ongoing pregnancy chances varied nearly threefold between centers (HRs 0.48-1.34).
- After adjustment for sampling variation, differences narrowed (HRs 0.66-1.28).
- Further adjustment for patient mix reduced differences slightly (HRs 0.74-1.33), with patient mix explaining 17% of center variation.
Conclusions:
- Patient mix accounts for a minor proportion of the observed pregnancy rate variations between IVF centers.
- Further research is necessary to identify the underlying causes of the remaining significant differences in IVF center performance.
Related Concept Videos
01:24In Vitro Fertilization
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a form of assisted reproductive technology where an egg is fertilized with sperm in a controlled laboratory environment before transferring the resulting embryo into the uterus. This process is designed to help individuals and couples experiencing difficulties conceiving.
The IVF process begins with ovarian stimulation, during which reproductive endocrinologists prescribe hormonal medications to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs instead of the single...
The IVF process begins with ovarian stimulation, during which reproductive endocrinologists prescribe hormonal medications to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs instead of the single...
01:15One-Way ANOVA: Equal Sample Sizes
One-Way ANOVA can be performed on three or more samples with equal or unequal sample sizes. When one-way ANOVA is performed on two datasets with samples of equal sizes, it can be easily observed that the computed F statistic is highly sensitive to the sample mean.
Different sample means can result in different values for the variance estimate: variance between samples. This is because the variance between samples is calculated as the product of the sample size and the variance between the...
Different sample means can result in different values for the variance estimate: variance between samples. This is because the variance between samples is calculated as the product of the sample size and the variance between the...
01:52Regression Toward the Mean
Regression toward the mean (“RTM”) is a phenomenon in which extremely high or low values—for example, and individual’s blood pressure at a particular moment—appear closer to a group’s average upon remeasuring. Although this statistical peculiarity is the result of random error and chance, it has been problematic across various medical, scientific, financial and psychological applications. In particular, RTM, if not taken into account, can interfere when researchers try to extrapolate results...
01:15One-Way ANOVA: Unequal Sample Sizes
One-way ANOVA can be performed on three or more samples of unequal sizes. However, calculations get complicated when sample sizes are not always the same. So, while performing ANOVA with unequal samples size, the following equation is used:
01:11Variability: Analysis
Measures of variability are statistical metrics that reveal the dispersion pattern within a dataset. They are pivotal in biostatistics, providing insights into the heterogeneity within health and biological data. Variability signifies the degree to which data points diverge from one another, helping researchers understand the potential range of values and associated uncertainty within the data.
The range is a simple measure of variability, indicating the difference between the highest and...
The range is a simple measure of variability, indicating the difference between the highest and...
01:23Types of Biopharmaceutical Studies: Controlled and Non-Controlled Approaches
Biopharmaceutical studies constitute a vital field aiming to enhance drug delivery methods and refine therapeutic approaches, drawing upon diverse interdisciplinary knowledge. In research methodologies, the choice between controlled and non-controlled studies significantly influences the study's reliability and accuracy.
Non-controlled studies, commonly employed for initial exploration, lack a control group, rendering them susceptible to biases and external influences. In contrast, controlled...
Non-controlled studies, commonly employed for initial exploration, lack a control group, rendering them susceptible to biases and external influences. In contrast, controlled...