Abstract
Objective: To assess the predictive performance and clinical value of basal FSH as a test for ovarian reserve in in vitro fertilization (IVF) patients. Design: Meta-analysis. Setting: Tertiary fertility center. Patient(s): Patients undergoing IVF. Intervention(s): None. Main Outcome Measure(s): Poor ovarian response, nonpregnancy. Result(s): We located 21 studies that had reported on basal FSH and IVF outcome. No single study met high standards of methodological rigor; most studies are of moderate methodological quality only. The summary receiver operating characteristic curve indicated a moderate predictive performance for poor response, and a low predictive performance for nonpregnancy. Predictions with a substantial shift from pre-FSH-test probability to post-FSH test probability are only achieved at extreme cut-off levels for basal FSH. Sensitivity of such cut-off levels, for both the prediction of poor response and nonpregnancy, is limited. Conclusion(s): Clinical value of testing for basal FSH is restricted to a small minority of patients. Basal FSH should not be regarded as a useful routine test for the prediction of IVF outcome. The development of better tests to assess ovarian reserve remains of importance.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1091-1100 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Fertility and Sterility |
Volume | 79 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 May 2003 |
Keywords
- Basal FSH
- IVF
- Meta-analysis
- Ovarian response
- Pregnancy