Clinical evaluation of CA-125 concentrations as a prognostic factor for pregnancy in infertile women with surgically treated endometriosis.
OBJECTIVE
To extend and confirm earlier observations that serial CA-125 determinations appear to have prognostic value in some infertile women with surgically treated endometriosis using a new automated enzyme immunoassay.


METHODS
A prospective consecutive case series.


METHODS
A university-based tertiary practice.


METHODS
Of 342 women having a laparoscopy for infertility, 123 (36%) had endometriosis. Fifty-six of 123 (45%) infertile women with endometriosis had preoperative CA-125 values > or = 16 U/mL and were followed for 12 months with serial CA-125 determinations.


METHODS
Proportion of women achieving a pregnancy within 12 months from surgery.


RESULTS
Mean preoperative CA-125 concentrations were not statistically different for women conceiving, but mean postoperative CA-125 values were significantly lower for women achieving a pregnancy. Univariate analyses indicated that preoperative CA-125 values between 16-25 U/mL and postoperative CA-125 values < 16 U/mL were associated with significantly higher pregnancy rates. Multivariate analyses of 10 covariables indicated only postoperative CA-125 concentrations to be associated with pregnancy even after controlling for all covariables.


CONCLUSIONS
Using a newly developed assay for CA-125, the study confirms and extends earlier observation that CA-125 concentrations have prognostic value for pregnancy in infertile women with surgically treated endometriosis. The findings provide additional support for the clinical use of CA-125 concentrations in selected women with endometriosis.
Pittaway
D E
DE
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bowman Gray School of Medicine of Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157, USA.
Rondinone
D
D
Miller
K A
KA
Barnes
K
K
D000328:Adult; D018394:CA-125 Antigen / Q000097:blood*; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies
D018394:CA-125 Antigen