P-491 Preliminary analysis of 943 patients using the Fertility Risk Detection Tool
Authors: De Oliveira Trigo B.R , Trigo A , Khan Sullivan F , Roshan D , Isazad M , Izquierdo H , Tsakos E , Velilla E , Trotman V , Dejewski J 
Published: June 2022

Study question

Are patients aware of their fertiltiy risk factors (i.e. capable of understanding and making decision regarding their reproductive health)?

Summary answer

There are fertiltiy risk factors (e.g., hormonal levels and sperm parameters) that patients do not know are necessary to test or simply do not know.

What is known already

The fertility rate of both women and men has been declining in both developed (1/6 couples' infertile) and developing countries (1/4 couples' infertile). To these couples, it takes them 3.2 years to be diagnosed and a further 1.6 years before being assessed by a fertility specialist. On average it can take up to 7 years to have a baby for these couples and most quit due to emotional ando financial distress. The knowledge people have about their fertility health (quality and relevance) impacts their decision to seek a medical diagnosis and eventual treatment.

Study design, size, duration

Questionnaire development and validation

Participants/materials, setting, methods

Participants & Methods:

Reproductive health professionals (N = 5) - questionnaire Pre-screen, patients TTC (N = 16) - interview

Patients TTC (target population): N = 943 ( Females N = 497, Males N = 446) - website questionnaire (https://www.efp.clinic/frdt/)

Main results and the role of chance

The final FRDT is composed of 90 questions, related to female and male health (contextual questions, cycle and ovarian reserve, gynaecological history and health, sperm and male health, genetic predisposition, intake of supplements, lifestyle choices and behaviours, environment). We collected 497 answers from female patients. The most common factors that influenced infertility included abdominal/pelvic surgery, hormonal problems, sexually transmitted infections, endometriosis and uterine fibroids, and 341 (68,6%) had been trying for more than 12 months, being considered infertility (WHO). The most represented demographic was women under 35 years of age. We were also able to collect 446 answers from male participants. The most common factors that influenced infertility included autoimmune disease, poor sperm parameters like concentration, count, motility and morphology, surgery to correct a deformity (penis or inguinal hernia), sexual dysfunction, and sexually transmitted disease, and 312 (70,0%) had been trying for more than 12 months, being considered infertility (WHO). The most represented demographic was under 40 years of age.

Limitations, reasons for caution

A new version of the FRDT has been uploaded with further screening of previous treatments tried and consequent results.

Female patients tend to answer for their male partners.

Wider implications of the findings

Younger people (women under 38 yo and men under 40 yo) are struggling to conceive for long periods of time (&gt;12 months) and aren't aware of key fertility factors, which may be a reason for their inability to conceive and/or look for medical help effeciently.

Trial registration number

not applicable