Self-reported health status of a sample of patients receiving in-vitro fertilization treatment

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the health status of patients receiving in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment and evaluate possible relationships with  social demographic factors in comparison to those not receiving infertility treatment.

Methods: The EuroQoL Group-developed  EQ5D-5L was used to elicit responses on the five dimensions that make up its health profile; Mobility, Self-Care, Usual Activities, Pain/ Discomfort, and Anxiety/Depression. Respondents scored their perception of how good their health is using a calibrated visual analog  scale (VAS) from 0 to 100 with higher values indicating a better-perceived health status. Respondents were randomly selected patients in  the waiting area in selected clinics and pharmacies in Abuja, Nigeria. Student's Test and Chisquare were employed for inferential analyses  where appropriate. P-values < 0.05 were interpreted as significant.

Results: About 43% of the respondents on IVF treatment  reported problems with anxiety and depression compared to 10% of respondents not using IVF (p = 0.0001). They also reported problems  with performing usual activities (12%) and pain/discomfort (22%) compared to 3% and 11% respectively for those not on  infertility treatment (p < 0.05). Those aged 35-45 years and are currently on IVF treatment reported a significantly lower health status  compared to those of the same age range who are not on treatment (p = 0.0001). Study participants on IVF treatment, irrespective of  their educational level and marital status, significantly reported a lower health status (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Infertility affects quality of  life and the domain mostly affected is anxiety and depression. People taking IVF treatment reported a lower health status compared to  those not receiving IVF treatment.