Predictive factors for spontaneous conception in women with moderate and severe endometriosis following operative...

To externally validate the Endometriosis Fertility Index (EFI) and to assess cumulative spontaneous pregnancy rates in women with moderate to severe endometriosis following fertility-enhancing minimally invasive surgery.

Retrospective cohort study.

Tertiary-care center for infertility treatment.

Women diagnosed with r-ASRM Stage III or IV endometriosis following fertility-sparing surgery between June 2013 and July 2023, and who desired for fertility.

Minimally invasive laparoscopy.

The follow-up rate was 76.3 %, with a median duration of 15 months [Range (1-130 months)]. The mean age of women was 28.5 ± 3.8 years. Women with low EFI scores (0-3) had lower cumulative spontaneous pregnancy rates (11.4 % at six months, 17 % at three years) compared to those with higher EFI scores (7-8), who had significantly higher rates (35 % at six months, 84.5 % after three years) (P < 0.001). A similar trend was observed for overall pregnancy rates. Factors negatively correlated with spontaneous pregnancy included lower least function scores (P < 0.001), increasing maternal age (P = 0.003), rASRM scores of 16-40 vs. ≥ 71 (P < 0.001), lower antral follicle count (P = 0.02), and increasing paternal age (P < 0.001). Cystectomy (P = 0.001) was positively associated with spontaneous pregnancy post-surgery. Among the 518 women identified with moderate and severe endometriosis, 395 were followed up, out of which 370 attempted spontaneous conception for at least six months, resulting in a pregnancy rate of 37.3 % (138/370).

The current study demonstrated that EFI scores correlate with pregnancy rates, validating the scoring system in a South Asian population. Additionally, clinical factors such as low antral follicle count, and advanced paternal age may be considered to make informed clinical decisions post-surgery for women with advanced endometriosis who wish to conceive.