title: Recombinant versus urinary follicle-stimulating hormone in intrauterine insemination cycles: a prospective, randomized analysis of cost effectiveness.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the clinical results and the cost effectiveness of urinary FSH and recombinant FSH in ovarian stimulation for IUI cycles.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, randomized trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  University Hospital, Perugia, and A.G.UN.CO. Obstetrics and Gynaecology Centre, Rome, Italy.
  
  
  METHODS
  IUI cycles were performed in 67 infertile patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Protocols of ovarian stimulation with urinary FSH or recombinant FSH were randomly assigned, for a total of 138 cycles performed (67 and 71, respectively).
  
  
  METHODS
  Number of mature follicles, days of stimulation, number of ampules, and IU used per cycle, biochemical/clinical pregnancy rates and cost-effectiveness ratio.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Follicular development, length of stimulation, pregnancy and delivery rates were not statistically different. Although in the urinary FSH group a significantly higher number of IU of gonadotropins were used (815.5 +/- 284.9 vs. 596.0 +/- 253.8), the cost per cycle remained significantly lower (220.73 +/- 94.72 vs. 318.50 +/- 125.21). The cost-effectiveness ratio was 1,848.61 euro in the urinary FSH group and 2,512.61 euro in the recombinant FSH group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Urinary FSH and recombinant FSH are both effective in ovarian stimulation in IUI cycles. The urinary preparation is more cost effective due to the difference of its cost per IU.
authors.affiliation: Centre of Reproductive and Perinatal Medicine, Department of Gynecological, Obstetrical and Pediatric Sciences, University of Perugia, Policlinico Monteluce, Perugia 06122, Italy. gerber@unipg.it
authors.forename: Sandro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gerli
authors.forename: Maria Luisa
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Casini
authors.forename: Vittorio
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Unfer
authors.forename: Loredana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Costabile
authors.forename: Vittorio
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bini
authors.forename: Gian Carlo
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Di Renzo
mesh_terms: D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000628:therapy; D007558:Italy; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D011247:Pregnancy; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone