P–740 Socio-cultural and clinical implications of ‘routine’ AMH testing in India: Insights from an interview study with the healthcare professionals (HCPs)

Abstract

Abstract Study question How do Indian healthcare professionals describe their clinical experience with and perspectives on AMH testing in Indian women seeking fertility treatments including fertility preservation? Summary answer The HCPs cautioned against AMH testing as a screening tool in presumed fertile Indian women due to its anticipated impact on women’s arranged-marriage prospects. What is known already AMH test is being increasingly used to assess women’s ovarian reserve (OR) while planning fertility treatments or to guide decisions about fertility preservation (FP). There is weak evidence suggesting that serum AMH level and fertility treatment outcomes vary in different population groups. Surveys with women in reproductive age (e.g. the US, Ireland, the Netherlands) indicate that a majority wants to know their OR to aid reproductive decision making. As yet, both globally and in an Indian context, there are only few qualitative studies exploring the views of HCPs on the OR assessment in clinical practice and its socio-cultural implications. Study design, size, duration This paper reports the findings of an exploratory qualitative research aimed at understanding whether and how elective fertility preservation could influence reproductive autonomy of Indian women. Between June 2018 and April 2019, IVF specialists and obstetricians practicing in ten cities across five Indian states were interviewed in English (language commonly spoken) using a semi-structured interview guide. The discussion about OR assessment with AMH-testing was initiated by the participants indicating its significance in their clinical practice. Participants/materials, setting, methods The study sample included 17 male and 15 female HCPs, the majority (18/32) was practicing in Mumbai. Twenty-six of them were in private practice while six worked as OBGYNs in publicly funded teaching hospitals. Twenty-six participants were interviewed in their clinics and the remaining six using Skype or telephone. After several rounds of immersive reading, the interview sections on OR and AMH-test were analyzed inductively using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis. Main results and the role of chance Several participants reported that many of their patients present with decreased OR (DOR) at a younger age and need higher dosages of hormones for ovulation induction compared to the dosages mentioned in international guidelines. They corroborated this experience with a few peer-reviewed articles indicating a six-years age difference in OR of Indian women undergoing IVF compared to Spanish women. A majority of participants advocated for the rational use of OR assessment in IVF patients but warned against its indiscriminate use or interpretation out of context due to concerns about overdiagnosis of ovarian factor infertility and overtreatment with IVF with donor eggs. Although the physicians who had performed elective FP perceived AMH test as a simple, affordable and empowering tool to guide FP decisions, most participants were critical of using AMH-test as a screening tool in young, presumed fertile women completing university education. They were concerned that a diagnosis of DOR as a result of such screening in this population in the Indian context will adversely impact women’s chances of marriage and might further increase pressure on women to get married and complete their childbearing early even if they are not ready for it. Limitations, reasons for caution This is the first qualitative study assessing views of Indian HCPs on AMH testing. These results are indicative rather than a representation of views of Indian HCPs. Almost half of the contacted HCPs did not respond to interview requests; we do not know whether they had different views. Wider implications of the findings: The insights on clinical implications of AMH testing in India are relevant to other societies beyond the Euro-American and Australian context where AMH testing will increase in the future. The socio-cultural implications of ‘routine’ AMH testing in India urges us to be aware of similar implications in other cultural contexts. Trial registration number Not applicable