Self-reported health status of a sample of patients receiving in-vitro fertilization treatment

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the health status of patients receiving in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment and evaluate possible relationships with social demographic factors in comparison to those not receiving infertility treatment. Methods: The EuroQoL Group-developed EQ5D-5L was used to elicit responses on the five dimensions that make up its health profile; Mobility, Self-Care, Usual Activities, Pain/Discomfort, and Anxiety/Depression. Respondents scored their perception of how good their health is using a calibrated visual analog scale (VAS) from 0 to 100 with higher values indicating a better-perceived health status. Respondents were randomly selected patients in the waiting area in selected clinics and pharmacies in Abuja, Nigeria. Student's Test and Chi-square were employed for inferential analyses where appropriate. P-values < 0.05 were interpreted as significant. Results: About 43% of the respondents on IVF treatment reported problems with anxiety and depression compared to 10% of respondents not using IVF (p = 0.0001). They also reported problems with performing usual activities (12%) and pain/discomfort (22%) compared to 3% and 11% respectively for those not on infertility treatment (p < 0.05). Those aged 35-45 years and are currently on IVF treatment reported a significantly lower health status compared to those of the same age range who are not on treatment (p = 0.0001). Study participants on IVF treatment, irrespective of their educational level and marital status, significantly reported a lower health status (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Infertility affects quality of life and the domain mostly affected is anxiety and depression. People taking IVF treatment reported a lower health status compared to those not receiving IVF treatment. Keywords: IVF treatment, quality of life, health status, infertility, EQ5D-5L