title: IVF outcome in poor responders failing to produce viable embryos in the preceding cycle.
abstract: This study postulated that poor-responder women failing to obtain viable embryos would represent a subgroup of subjects with extremely poor prognosis. To elucidate this aspect, women in this condition over a 4-year period were retrospectively identified and their IVF outcomes in subsequent cycles were evaluated. A total of 108 women satisfied the selection criteria and underwent at least one further IVF cycle. There were 19 women excluded because they opted for a mild approach using clomiphene citrate alone, leaving 89 women for data analyses. Four women had a live birth during this first cycle, corresponding to a delivery rate per started cycle of 4.5% (95% CI 1.5-10.0%). From a public health perspective, the mean cost per delivery was € 124,540. Younger age emerged as the unique predictive factor of success. In conclusion, women with poor ovarian response failing to obtain viable embryos have extremely low chances of success in subsequent cycles. Considering the costs and risks of IVF, the appropriateness of pursuing treatments in these women is questionable. Younger women may represent a possible exception since their chances of delivery are higher.
authors.affiliation: Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Infertility Unit, via Fanti 6, 20122 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Edgardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Somigliana
authors.forename: Alessio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Paffoni
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Busnelli
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cardellicchio
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leonardi
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Filippi
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ragni
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fedele
mesh_terms: D004622:Embryo, Mammalian; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies