Morbid obesity is associated with lower clinical pregnancy rates after in vitro fertilization in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether morbid obesity is associated with decreased pregnancy and live birth rates after IVF in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).


METHODS
Retrospective cohort study.


METHODS
University-based fertility center.


METHODS
Seventy-two women with PCOS who completed their first IVF cycle between 2001 and 2006.


METHODS
Outcomes of IVF were compared between women with a body mass index (BMI) of <40 kg/m(2) vs. those with a BMI of > or =40 kg/m(2).


METHODS
Clinical pregnancy rate, live birth rate.


RESULTS
Morbidly obese women with PCOS (n = 19) had significantly lower clinical pregnancy rates after IVF than patients with PCOS who were not morbidly obese (n = 53) (32% vs. 72%, relative risk 0.44, 95% confidence interval 0.22-0.87). Their live birth rates were lower too, although this difference was not statistically significant (32% vs. 60%, relative risk 0.52, 95% confidence interval 0.26-1.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Morbid obesity is associated with lower pregnancy rates in women with PCOS after IVF, raising the question of whether weight loss may improve IVF success rates for morbidly obese PCOS patients.
Jungheim
Emily S
ES
Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University in Saint Louis, Saint Louis, MO 63108, USA. jungheime@wustl.edu
Lanzendorf
Susan E
SE
Odem
Randall R
RR
Moley
Kelle H
KH
Chang
Aimee S
AS
Ratts
Valerie S
VS
D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D050498:Live Birth / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000150:complications*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D012016:Reference Values; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012306:Risk