Oligo/Amenorrhea Is an Independent Risk Factor Associated With Low Ovarian Response

CapsuleOligo/amenorrhea is an independent risk factor of low ovarian response but not high ovarian response, particularly in women with low AMH levels.ObjectiveTo investigate the association of menstrual cycle length (MCL) with anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and ovarian response.MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study. A total of 7471 women who underwent ovarian stimulation and oocyte retrieval were enrolled. The main outcome was the number of oocytes retrieved.Main ResultsA total of 5734 patients were eligible for analysis. In women without polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), serum AMH levels and antral follicle count were significantly lower in women with short cycles and higher in women with oligo/amenorrhea than those with a normal menstrual cycle. In women with PCOS, compared to women with a normal menstrual cycle, women with short cycles and women with oligo/amenorrhea showed higher antral follicle count and higher serum AMH levels. Compared with the 0-25th range group of AMH levels, 75-100th percentile groups showed a significantly increased rate of oligo/amenorrhea in women with and without PCOS [adjusted odds ratio (OR) =1.9 (1.04, 3.46), 2.4 (1.70, 3.35)]. In women without PCOS, the low ovarian response was more common in women with short cycles and less common in women with oligo/amenorrhea compared to women with normal cycles [OR=3.0 (2.38, 3.78), 0.7 (0.55, 0.96), respectively]. When adjusted for AMH levels, both short cycles and oligo/amenorrhea were associated with an increased risk of low response [adjusted OR=1.3 (1.02, 1.75), 1.3 (0.93, 1.86), respectively]. In women without PCOS and with low AMH levels, the low ovarian response was more common in women with short cycles as well as in women with oligo/amenorrhea [OR=1.5 (1.08, 1.98), 1.7 (1.08, 2.69), adjusted OR=1.2 (0.86, 1.74), 2.2 (1.31, 3.82), respectively].ConclusionAMH levels are significantly associated with increased risk of oligo/amenorrhea in women with and without PCOS. AMH is an indispensable confounder in the association between MCL and ovarian response in women without PCOS. Oligo/amenorrhea is an independent risk factor associated with a low ovarian response in women without PCOS, particularly those with low AMH levels

Analyses of medical coping styles and related factors among female patients undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryonic transfer.

OBJECTIVE:This study investigated the medical coping styles of female patients treated with in vitro fertilization and embryonic transfer (IVF-ET), and analyzed the effects of alexithymia and social support on their choice of coping style. METHODS:A survey was conducted with 285 female patients undergoing IVF-ET in a reproductive medical center of a third-grade class-A hospital in China using the Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire, the Social Support Rating Scale, and the Toronto Alexithymia scale. RESULTS:Patients who underwent IVF-ET treatment had a higher score for avoidance as a coping mode than did normal controls. Utilization of social support predicted the use of confrontation as a coping style. Difficulty identifying feelings, objective support, and utilization of social support were factors in the choice of avoidance as a coping style, and length of infertility treatment, difficulty identifying feelings, and subjective support predicted patients' use of the acceptance-resignation as a coping style. CONCLUSION:Patients who undergo IVF-ET generally select the coping style of avoidance, which is not conducive to treatment. Targeted intervention strategies should be developed based on the factors influencing patients' choice of coping style(s) to guide them in choosing positive coping methods, improve compliance, and achieve successful pregnancy outcomes

Clinical narrative competence and humanistic care ability of nurses in assisted reproductive technology: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Growing focus on patient-centred care emphasizes humanistic skills and clinical narrative competence in nursing, particularly in assisted reproductive nursing. However, there is limited evidence to suggest the levels of nurse’ clinical narrative competence and humanistic care ability. This study aimed to investigate the clinical narrative competence and humanistic care ability of nurse specialists in assisted reproductive technology (ART) in China. Methods This cross-sectional study included nurses who obtained the ART specialist nurse certificate after nurse training in Zhejiang province assisted reproductive technology specialist nurse training base between 2017 and 2022. A demographic questionnaire, the Caring Ability Inventory (CAI) and Narrative Competence Scale (NCS) were used for data collection. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to explore risk factors. Results A total of 122 participants (120 females, with a mean age of 33.35 ± 5.00 years) were included (response rate = 82.43%). NCS score and CAI score was 143.39 ± 19.24 (range: 27–189) and 198.42 ± 19.51 (range: 37–259) among nurse specialists in assisted reproductive technology, respectively. Multivariate linear regression analysis indicated that professional title (β = 20.003, 95%CI: 3.271–36.735, P = 0.020), and the CAI (β = 0.342, 95%CI: 0.180–0.540, P < 0.001) was independently associated with NCS. Head Nurse/ Team Leader/ Clinical Faculty had significantly higher CAI score than nurse (P = 0.006). Conclusions The clinical narrative competence and caring ability of nurse specialists in assisted reproductive technology was considered sufficient. Professional titles and work position were associated with clinical narrative competence. Enhancing clinical narrative competence can be considered as an effective strategy for promoting humanistic care ability. Trial registration Not applicable

Self-reported effects of perceived social support on marital quality in balanced translocation patients and their spouses undergoing preimplantation genetic testing in China: actor–partner interdependence model

This study aimed to analyse the relationship between perceived social support and marital quality in balanced translocation patients and their spouses undergoing a preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) treatment cycle in China. The authors assessed the actor and partner effects of perceived social support on marital quality in patient–spouse dyads using a dyadic analysis approach. In total, 59 couples were assessed using self-report questionnaires for marital quality and perceived social support. There were significant differences in marital quality between patients and their spouses (p=.0025) based on the APIM (actor–partner interdependence model) analyses. The perceived social support of both patients (p=.0076) and spouses (p<.001) had a significant effect on individual marital quality for actor effects. Partner effects showed that patients’ perceived social support had a significant effect on spouses’ marital quality (p=.0156) and the spouses’ perceived social support had a significant effect on patients’ marital quality (p=.0084). The findings indicate that the level of perceived social support affected both his/her own marital quality and that of his/her spouse.Impact Statement What is already known on this subject? Infertility and reproductive treatments affect both partners, that is, the couple as a unit and have a negative impact on an individual’s marital satisfaction and social relationships. What do the results of this study add? There are significant differences in marital quality between balanced translocation patients and their spouses. Perceived social support significantly correlated with marital quality in both the actor and partner effects. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Health professionals should provide couple-based interventions involving both patients and spouses throughout the PGT treatment to improve perceived social support, thereby improving their marital quality

Additional file 1 of Clinical narrative competence and humanistic care ability of nurses in assisted reproductive technology: a cross-sectional study

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