Reproductive outcome in European and Middle Eastern/North African patients

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Endocrinology
• In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
• Comparative Patient Demographics

Background:

• Infertility affects diverse populations globally.
• Understanding ethnic variations in infertility and IVF outcomes is crucial for personalized treatment.
• Previous research has not extensively compared European and Middle Eastern/North African (MENA) patient cohorts undergoing IVF.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare baseline infertility characteristics between European and MENA patients undergoing their first IVF cycle.
• To evaluate differences in IVF outcomes, including oocyte retrieval and pregnancy rates, between these two ethnic groups.
• To investigate potential ethnic disparities in ovarian function decline.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study of 2703 patients undergoing their first IVF cycle.
• Comparison of demographic data, infertility factors, and IVF cycle outcomes between 2485 European and 218 MENA patients.
• Statistical analysis to determine significant differences (P-values, Odds Ratios, Relative Risks).

Main Results:

• MENA patients were younger (30.6 vs. 34.0 years) with longer infertility duration and higher rates of male factor infertility and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
• Despite younger age and higher PCOS prevalence, MENA patients had significantly fewer oocytes retrieved (RR 0.83) and less cryopreserved surplus embryos (OR 0.41).
• Clinical pregnancy rates were comparable (22.4% vs. 22.9%), but higher basal FSH concentrations were noted in MENA patients.

Conclusions:

• MENA patients exhibit distinct baseline characteristics and infertility profiles compared to European patients.
• Younger age and higher PCOS prevalence in MENA patients did not translate to higher oocyte yields during IVF.
• Findings suggest a potentially more rapid decline in ovarian function among women of MENA descent, warranting further investigation.