Fertility Preservation among Cancer Patients in Saudi Arabia: Knowledge and Attitudes of Medical Students

Introduction: Cancer education and informing people about cancer treatment and its sequel and their fertility can significantly lessen their health risk. Objective: The aim of the current study was to assess medical students’ knowledge, attitudes, and understanding toward fertility preservation (FP) for cancer patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among medical students at two universities in Riyadh. A questionnaire was developed based on different surveys and was adapted to our culture. It was composed of two parts: sociodemographic data and questions assessing students’ knowledge and attitudes regarding FP. The second section discussed factors that could influence the utilization of FP services. It was composed of 5 questions, 4-point Likert scale (greatly, usually, rarely, never) scored from 1 for never to 4 for greatly. Results: Students, particularly females, were more knowledgeable about different FP methods, such as Gonadotrophin releasing hormones, sperm cryopreservation, and oocyte cryopreservation. They stated that cost, lack of information, and access to FP services are the most common factors hindering the utilization of services. They expressed a good attitude toward FP; however, nearly half of them mentioned that cancer treatment should be started first before FP. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the respectable awareness and attitude of FP among Saudi medical students. However, some gaps are present, indicating the need to improve education about FP in the medical curriculum

Infertility treatment outcome in sub groups of obese population

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Obesity is a common disorder with a negative impact on IVF treatment outcome. It is not clear whether morbidly obese women (BMI >= 35 kg/m2) respond to treatment differently as compared to obese women (BMI = 30–34.9 kg/m2) in IVF. Our aim was to compare the outcome of IVF or ICSI treatments in obese patients to that in morbidly obese patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This retrospective cohort study was conducted in a tertiary care centre. Patients inclusion criteria were as follows; BMI ≥ 30, age 20–40 years old, first cycle IVF/ICSI treatment with primary infertility and long follicular pituitary down regulation protocol.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 406 obese patients (group A) and 141 morbidly obese patients (group B) satisfied the inclusion criteria. Average BMI was 32.1 ± 1.38 kg/m2 for group A versus 37.7 ± 2.99 kg/m²for group B. Patient age, cause of infertility, duration of stimulation, fertilization rate, and number of transferred embryos were similar in both groups. Compared to group A, group B had fewer medium size and mature follicles (14 vs. 16), fewer oocytes collected (7 vs. 9) and required higher doses of HMG (46.2 vs. 38.5 amps). There was also a higher cancellation rate in group B (28.3% vs. 19%) and lower clinical pregnancy rate per started cycle (19.9% vs. 28.6%).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In a homogenous infertile and obese patient population stratified according to their BMI, morbid obesity is associated with unfavorable IVF/ICSI cycle outcome as evidenced by lower pregnancy rates. It is recommended that morbidly obese patients undergo appropriate counseling before the initiation of this expensive and invasive therapy.</p

The correlation between endometrial thickness and outcome of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) outcome

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To evaluate the relationship between endometrial thickness on day of human chorionic gonadotrophin administration (hCG) and pregnancy outcome in a large number of consecutive in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) cycles.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A retrospective cohort study including all patients who had IVF-ET from January 2003–December 2005 conducted at a tertiary center.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 2464 cycles were analysed. Pregnancy rate (PR) was 35.8%. PR increased linearly (r = 0.864) from 29.4% among patients with a lining of less than or equal to 6 mm, to 44.4% among patients with a lining of greater than or equal to 17 mm. ROC showed that endometrial thickness is not a good predictor of PR, so a definite cut-off value could not be established (AUC = 0.55).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>There is a positive linear relationship between the endometrial thickness measured on the day of hCG injection and PR, and is independent of other variables. Hence aiming for a thicker endometrium should be considered.</p

International challenges in patient-centred care in fertility clinics offering assisted reproductive technology: providers' gaps and attitudes towards addressing the patients' psychological needs

Introduction. Psychosocial care provided to patients undergoing fertility treatment has focused on a small proportion of patients with major psychosocial problems, leaving the remaining patients impacted by psychosocial stressors without follow-up. Factors that could influence the ability or willingness of physicians treating infertility to assess and address patients’ psychosocial needs have not been investigated. This study aimed to identify the practice gaps and educational needs of physicians treating and managing patients with infertility, with the aim of informing future educational interventions. Methods. A cross-sectional, exploratory, mixed-methods study incorporating semi-structured qualitative telephone interviews and a quantitative online survey was designed and deployed to actively practising physicians treating infertile couples from 15 countries across the Americas, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East Region. Triangulation of qualitative and quantitative data was used to increase trustworthiness of findings. Results. Forty-five participants completed a qualitative interview and 271 participants completed the quantitative online survey (response rates were 4 and 9%, respectively). A majority (74%) of respondents reported needing improvement in their psychological assessment skill, which was considered essential to the provision of optimal care by less than half (41%) of respondents. A need for improvement in their skill to assess patients’ parenting skills was reported in 72% of respondents, and this skill was considered as essential by 32% of participants. Similarly, 72% reported needing improvement in their ability to identify the needs of patients for psychological and emotional support, and this ability was considered essential by 45%. Statistical differences were observed between countries (p<0.05). Conclusion. Addressing the gaps highlighted in this study, through educational or performance improvement activities, could optimise the clinical performance of physicians treating infertility and, thus, increase patient satisfaction and outcomes

Intramuscular progesterone (Gestone) versus vaginal progesterone suppository (Cyclogest) for luteal phase support in cycles of in vitro fertilization–embryo transfer: patient preference and drug efficacy

Abstract Background The requirement for luteal phase support (LPS) in stimulated IVF cycles is well established, however drug choice, and route of administration and duration of use are not. This report evaluates patients’ preference and satisfaction by using either vaginal or intramuscular (IM) progesterone (P) supplementation for luteal phase support after in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET). Methods It is a prospective cohort study done in a reproductive and infertility unit in a tertiary care hospital from March 2013 through February 2015 for four hundred and nine patients undergoing IVF-ET. Patients were allowed to choose either vaginal or IM P for LPS. Patient preference and satisfaction, as well as differences in clinical pregnancy rates between the two groups were assessed at one or two time points throughout the study. Results There were no statistically significant differences in the patients’ characteristics and clinical outcomes between the two groups. There were 88 pregnancies (38.8%) among patients treated with vaginal p and 62 pregnancies (34%) among IM P patients. Average satisfaction score at the pregnancy test and ultrasound (U/S) visits was similar between both groups. Conclusions Patients’ satisfaction and pregnancy rates were similar between vaginal and IM P supplementation

Ovarian Tissue Cryopreservation versus Other Fertility Techniques for Chemoradiation-Induced Premature Ovarian Insufficiency in Women: A Systematic Review and Future Directions

Current advances in cancer therapy have increased survival, emphasizing the need for life quality improvement. Fertility loss is common post-chemotherapy. Current guidelines establish embryo and oocyte cryopreservation to address premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). Ovarian tissue cryopreservation has also recently become an acceptable option for fertility preservation, particularly as it is the only option for pre-pubertal patients. Few definitions for optimum fertility outcomes, and few systematic reviews comparing embryo, oocyte, and ovarian tissue cryopreservation as a means of fertility preservation (FP) in pre- and post-pubertal female cancer patients exist. This systematic review aims to improve understanding of gonadotoxic effects of chemoradiation therapy in cancer patients, to analyze the different fertility preservation techniques and procedures available to women with chemoradiation induced ovarian insufficiency, and to compare and recognize the benefits of each technique in restoring fertility, sexual hormone function, and quality of life. Searches were conducted electronically on PubMed, Cochrane, and EBSCOHost, including clinical trials, prospective, and retrospective studies of female cancer patients undergoing anti-cancer therapy, with predefined MeSH terminology. Data were collected, analyzed, and compared. Non-randomized clinical studies were evaluated for risk bias through the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. In total, 23 studies were included. From there, 647 patients opted for oocyte cryopreservation, 267 for embryo cryopreservation, and 1382 for ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC). A total of 175, 18, and 121 live births resulted respectively from oocyte, embryo, and OTC, respectively. Studies without live births discussed other fertility markers as indicators of improvement in sexual hormone function and fertility. The gonadotoxic effects of chemotherapy call for FP intervention. Oocyte and embryo cryopreservation/implantation are well-established procedures. With changing trends and life quality consideration, OTC is a promising interventional method for pre-pubertal patients facing the prospect of fertility loss

Diclofenac for analgesia in assisted conception: a prospective cohort study

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of diclofenac in pain experience following oocyte retrieval under conscious sedation. Setting: Assisted reproductive unit (ART) in a tertiary care referral centre. Design: Prospective controlled non-randomized study. Materials and Methods: One hundred and thirty six infertility patients undergoing IVF or ICSI treatment where included. All patients received pre-ovum pickup (OPU) conscious sedation in form of alfentanil 0.5 mg IV, in addition the treatment group (n=81) received 100 mg diclofenac per rectal 30 minutes pre OPU, the control group (n=55) had no pre OPU diclofenac. Main outcome Measures: Pain score measurement performed at 30 minutes, one, two, and 12 hours post OPU. Results: Average pain score in the treatment group was significantly lower than that of the control group at each measured time interval. Conclusion(s): Pre OPU Diclofenac is an effective medication for reducing post procedure pain experience

Global Transcriptional Profiling of Granulosa Cells from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Patients: Comparative Analyses of Patients with or without History of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome Reveals Distinct Biomarkers and Pathways

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is often a complication of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), the most frequent disorder of the endocrine system, which affects women in their reproductive years. The etiology of OHSS is multifactorial, though the factors involved are not apparent. In an attempt to unveil the molecular basis of OHSS, we conducted transcriptome analysis of total RNA extracted from granulosa cells from PCOS patients with a history of OHSS (n = 6) and compared them to those with no history of OHSS (n = 18). We identified 59 significantly dysregulated genes (48 down-regulated, 11 up-regulated) in the PCOS with OHSS group compared to the PCOS without OHSS group (p-value 1.5). Functional, pathway and network analyses revealed genes involved in cellular development, inflammatory and immune response, cellular growth and proliferation (including DCN, VIM, LIFR, GRN, IL33, INSR, KLF2, FOXO1, VEGF, RDX, PLCL1, PAPPA, and ZFP36), and significant alterations in the PPAR, IL6, IL10, JAK/STAT and NF-κB signaling pathways. Array findings were validated using quantitative RT-PCR. To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest cohort of Saudi PCOS cases (with or without OHSS) to date that was analyzed using a transcriptomic approach. Our data demonstrate alterations in various gene networks and pathways that may be involved in the pathophysiology of OHSS. Further studies are warranted to confirm the findings