Patient dropout in an assisted reproductive technology program: implications for pregnancy rates.
OBJECTIVE
To study patient dropout and its impact on crude and cumulative pregnancy rates (PRs) after assisted reproductive technology (ART).


METHODS
Retrospective cohort study.


METHODS
University hospital-based tertiary care fertility clinic.


METHODS
Two hundred two couples applying for their first ART treatment cycle.


METHODS
Drop-out rate and PR per cycle, cumulative drop-out rate and cumulative PR.


RESULTS
After three treatment cycles, the cumulative drop-out rate was 126 of 202 (62.4%); 13.9% (n = 28) was due to active censoring. Active censoring was shown to flatter cumulative PRs by life-table analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
Dropout from ART is high, even when ART costs are covered by health cost insurance. Life-table analysis overestimates cumulative PRs in ART.
Land
J A
JA
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Academisch Ziekenhuis Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Courtar
D A
DA
Evers
J L
JL
D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007348:Insurance, Health; D015993:Life Tables; D010352:Patient Dropouts; D011247:Pregnancy; D011379:Prognosis; D012099:Reproductive Techniques / Q000191:economics; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome