Author/Editor     Knez, Jure; Kovačič, Borut; Vlaisavljević, Veljko
Title     Comparison of embryo transfer strategies and assisted reproduction outcome in Slovenian and cross-border patients
Type     članek
Vol. and No.     Letnik 27, št. 3
Publication year     2013
Volume     str. 310-315
ISSN     1472-6491 - Reproductive biomedicine online
Language     eng
Abstract     A reduction in the number of embryos transferred is the most important step in decreasing multiple gestation rates after medically assisted reproduction. Slovenia has implemented insurance company regulations that regulate single-embryo transfer in selected good-prognosis couples. The aim of the present study was to evaluate its effects on the Slovenian population compared with cross-border patients, who are not affected by the insurance company policy. Ultimately, 2403 couples undergoing IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection were included in the retrospective analysis. Patients were classied according to their origin. The decision about the number of embryos transferred and the treatment success were evaluated. The implementation of the policy favouring single-embryo transfer resulted in a signicant decrease in the twin birth rate in Slovenian patients (24.4% before policy versus 6.7% after policy implementation, P < 0.001). Although in cross-border patients twin birth rates have declined through the study period, they remained signicantly higher compared with Slovenian patients (23.1% versus 6.7%, P < 0.001). The data demonstrate that insurance company policies favouring single-embryo transfer are an effective tool in decreasing multiple gestation rates. Similar mechanisms should be implemented in the cross-border patient population.
Keywords     neplodnost, zdravljenje
asistirana reprodukcija
zarodek, prenos
večplodna nosečnost
zavarovalniška politika
retrospektivne analize