title: Evaluation of the postcoital test for assessment of 'cervical factor' infertility.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the test properties of the postcoital test (PCT).
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data on a cohort of infertile couples with complete follow up.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fertility clinic of a Dutch university hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  A continuous series of 224 couples of whom 24 were excluded for reasons of anovulation, coital problems, proven sterility or incomplete follow-up.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cumulative pregnancy rates in relation to PCT results with and without treatment for 'cervical factor' infertility.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The predictive values of normal and abnormal PCTs were 0.54 and 0.58 overall and 0.74 and 0.47 if only untreated women were considered. Sensitivity and specificity were, respectively, 0.47 and 0.65 for all women and 0.54 and 0.68 for untreated women only. Likelihood ratios for normal and abnormal PCTs were 0.83 and 1.32 overall and 0.67 and 1.72 in untreated women.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The PCT has poor predictive power. This and the psychological impact on subfertile couples attest to the need for more rigorous study designs in evaluating this test.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine, Leiden University Hospital, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Oei
authors.forename: K W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Bloemenkamp
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Helmerhorst
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Naaktgeboren
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Keirse
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D007315:Insemination, Artificial; D008297:Male; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013081:Sperm Motility