title: Self-operated endovaginal telemonitoring: a prospective, clinical validation study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the comparability of self-operated endovaginal telemonitoring (SOET) with conventional two-dimensional transvaginal sonography (2D-TVS) monitoring during assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycles.
  
  
  METHODS
  Single center, observational, single-blinded cohort study.
  
  
  METHODS
  University-affiliated in vitro fertilization center.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 60 women undergoing ART cycles.
  
  
  METHODS
  Explanation, training, and use of SOET system, and measurements of follicular and endometrial diameter with SOET and 2D-TVS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Correlation of the total number of follicles >10 mm measured by SOET versus conventional 2D-TVS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 16 cases (26.7%) the images were judged unsuitable for analysis. In these excluded cases the body mass index (BMI) was statistically significantly higher (29.3 vs. 24.4 kg/m(2)). The total number of follicles >10 mm was highly similar comparing SOET with conventional 2D-TVS (r = 0.91). For the concordance of whether more than 19 follicles or more than 25 follicles >10 mm were present, we found agreement between the methods in 43 of 44 cases (κ = 0.88) and 43 of 44 cases (κ = 0.85), respectively. For concordance on predefined human chorionic gonadotropin administration criteria, agreement was found in 39 of 44 cases (κ = 0.734).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The incidence of SOET videos not suitable for analysis seems to be associated with higher BMI. Otherwise, SOET showed good agreement with conventional 2D-TVS both for follicles and endometrium measurements. More importantly we also found good concordance regarding the cutoffs relevant for clinical decisions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany.
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany.
authors.forename: Kyra
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: von Horn
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany.
authors.forename: Marion
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Depenbusch
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany.
authors.forename: Askan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schultze-Mosgau
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany. Electronic address: georg.griesinger@uni-luebeck.de.
authors.forename: Georg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Griesinger
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004717:Endometrium / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D010060:Ovulation / Q000187:drug effects; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019114:Remote Consultation / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014741:Video Recording
chemical_list: D005300:Fertility Agents, Female
keywords: ART cycles; self-operated endovaginal telemonitoring; telemonitoring; transvaginal sonography