P-595 Increased clinical pregnancy rates using a clinical decision support tool - a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Diwekar U , Joag S , Patel N , Patel N , Patel M , Bhadarka H , Ghoghari P 
Published: July 2024

Study question

Does using a clinical decision support tool, Opt-IVF, to guide hormone dosing during superovulation yield increased clinical pregnancy rates in routine clinical practice?

Summary answer

Higher clinical pregnancy rates were obtained using Opt-IVF to guide stimulatory hormone dosing during superovulation.

What is known already

ART success rates and cost depend heavily on the superovulation stage of the cycle. Two prospective single-center trials and one prospective multi-center trial had shown that using Opt-IVF to guide dosing resulted in increased numbers of high-quality embryos, used lower hormone doses, and required less ultrasound testing. This is a retrospective cohort study of the use of Opt-IVF in clinical practice over 12 months compared with the control cohort from the previous 12 months.

Study design, size, duration

Design: The study examined patients undergoing an IVF cycle using Opt-IVF in a single center for 12 months. Opt-IVF was used in all patients who presented to one of the investigators at Akanksha Hospital during the study period. As a comparison group, we examined patients from the previous 12 months when Opt-IVF was not used, and standard clinical protocols were followed to guide dosing.

Duration: The study was conducted over 24 months

Participants/materials, setting, methods

204 women aged 25-45 years underwent superovulation using hormone doses suggested by Opt-IVF (intervention). Of the participants, 19% were poor responders, 74% were below 35 years of age, 19% were 35-39 years of age, and 7% were above 39 years of age. The control group included 207 women, of whom 10% were poor responders. 72% were below 35 years of age, 26% were 35-39 years, and 2% were above 39 years of age.

Main results and the role of chance

The participants in the intervention group required significantly lower cumulative gonadotropin dosage compared to the control group during their controlled ovarian stimulation cycles (p &lt; 0.0001). The average number of total embryos was 20% higher (p &lt; 0.001), and the average number of good-quality embryos was 50% higher (p &lt; 0.0001) in the Opt-IVF group than in the control group. Only 4.9% of cycles were canceled in the intervention group, compared to 12.9% canceled in the control group. Overall, Clinical pregnancy rates (including canceled cycles) increased from 35 % in the control group to 43% in the intervention group. The clinical pregnancy rate for poor responder patients was 39% in the Opt-IVF group but was only 16% in controls (p &lt; 0.0001). Similarly, the clinical pregnancy rates were 34% in patients ages 35-39 years and 33% in patients above 39 years of age, much higher than the corresponding clinical pregnancy rates in controls (27% and 0%, respectively). Higher clinical pregnancy rates were also noted in the intervention group for normal responders and for younger patients.

Limitations, reasons for caution

This is a single-center retrospective cohort study.

Wider implications of the findings

Using Opt-IVF to guide dosing resulted in increased numbers of high-quality embryos and higher clinical pregnancy rates, particularly among older patients and poor responders. The proportions of these patients can be expected to grow in the future, so improving results in such patients is essential.

Trial registration number

not applicable