Methods for a Retrospective Population-based and Clinic-based Subfertility Cohort Study: the Fertility Experiences...

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Health
• Epidemiology
• Biostatistics

Background:

• Subfertility research often relies on clinic-based cohorts, potentially limiting generalizability.
• Population-based cohorts offer a broader perspective on subfertility prevalence and characteristics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare characteristics of subfertile women recruited through clinic-based versus population-based sampling.
• To assess response rates in retrospective cohort recruitment based on sampling method and live birth outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective recruitment of parallel cohorts of subfertile women (clinic-based and population-based).
• Index dates between 2000-2009, linked to birth records through December 2010.
• Comparison of demographic, socioeconomic, and treatment characteristics between cohorts.

Main Results:

• Clinic-based cohort (459 women) differed from population-based (501 women) in age, income, and treatment intensity (e.g., in vitro fertilization rates).
• Population-based recruitment identified women with less intensive or no medical treatment more frequently.
• Higher response rates observed among women who had a live birth, irrespective of sampling method.

Conclusions:

• Population-based sampling is valuable for identifying subfertile women with diverse treatment experiences.
• Live birth status significantly influences response rates in retrospective subfertility research.
• Findings highlight the importance of considering sampling methodology in subfertility cohort studies.