Estimating infertility: the devil is in the details.
Self-reported data have serious limitations, particularly when the outcome is constructed from indirect questions. Policy decisions require clearly defined issues, validated tools, careful and comprehensive analysis, and cautious interpretation.
Olive
David L
DL
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA. dlolive@wisc.edu
Pritts
Elizabeth A
EA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D015982:Bias; D015984:Causality; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004522:Educational Status; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D017533:Marital Status / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D015995:Prevalence; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology