Antiphospholipid antibodies and pregnancy rates and outcome in in vitro fertilization patients.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the relationship between antiphospholipid antibodies and pregnancy rates (PRs) and outcome among IVF patients.


METHODS
Prospective collection of all serum samples with assays for immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgA, and IgM antibodies for anticardiolipin, antiphosphatidyl serine, antiphosphatidyl ethanolamine, antiphosphatidyl choline, antiphosphatidyl inositol, antiphosphatidyl glycerol, and antiphosphatidic acid being done following completion of all treatment cycles.


METHODS
A tertiary care teaching hospital.


METHODS
Seven hundred ninety-three patients attempting to conceive through IVF.


METHODS
Pregnancy rates (PRs) and pregnancy loss rates relative to each of the various antiphospholipid antibodies that were measured.


RESULTS
There were 528 pregnancies for an overall PR of 66%. Pregnancy rates were equal among patients with positive and negative antiphospholipid antibodies for each of the 21 measured antibodies. Use of receiver operator characteristic curves and logistic regression further confirmed that there was no relationship between PRs or outcome based on antiphospholipid antibodies for any definable threshold value.


CONCLUSIONS
Elevated antiphospholipid antibody levels are not associated with any change in PRs or pregnancy loss rates in patients attempting to conceive through IVF.
Denis
A L
AL
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia, USA.
Guido
M
M
Adler
R D
RD
Bergh
P A
PA
Brenner
C
C
Scott
R T
RT
D000328:Adult; D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid / Q000097:blood*; D002308:Cardiolipins / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000097:blood; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000276:immunology*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011446:Prospective Studies
D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid; D002308:Cardiolipins; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M