Two-year cumulative live-birth rates and maximum number of transfer cycles in women aged ≥ 40 years

Abstract

This retrospective study aimed to clarify the cumulative live-birth rates (CLBRs) and cost per live-birth (LB) to evaluate the validity of frozen–thawed embryo transfer without preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) in women aged ≥ 40 years. The study included 1,011 patients aged ≥ 40 years who underwent their first oocyte retrieval at our hospital between January 2010 and September 2017. They were followed up for up to two years or until either treatment discontinuation or a pregnancy that resulted in a live birth. The 2-year CLBRs were 55.6%, 39.0%, 31.3%, 19.1%, 10.6%, 4.4%, and 0% for patients aged 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, and > 46 years, respectively. In approximately 80% of LB cases, patients aged 40–42 years and 43–44 years became pregnant by the fourth and second transfers, respectively. Costs per LB were $30,207, $49,034, $66,345, $102,759, and $195,862 for patients aged 40, 41, 42, 43, and 44, respectively. Cost per LB for each number of transfers reached $300,000 and $ 450,000 for the third transfer at 42 and 43 years of age, respectively. For cost-effectiveness, up to two ET cycles are recommended for patients aged 42–43, and none for patients aged ≥ 44 years.