Can a quality-of-life assessment assist in identifying women at risk of prematurely discontinuing IVF treatment? A prospective cohort study utilizing the FertiQoL questionnaire

PURPOSE: This study aimed at assessing quality of life (QoL) by means of a validated measurement tool (FertiQoL) in German infertile patients before a first IVF/ICSI cycle with ancillary assessment of changes in FertiQoL scores after a failed first cycle and the predictive capacity of FertiQoL scores for treatment discontinuation.

METHODS: The validated FertiQoL tool consisting of 24 questions regarding fertility-specific aspects of QoL was used for this prospective cohort study conducted at a university affiliated IVF center in Germany. Female patients (n = 119) filled out the FertiQoL form and questionnaire on sociodemographic variables on initiation of a first- and second-cycle IVF/ICSI treatment, respectively.

RESULTS: On initiation of a first IVF/ICSI cycle, the mean scores (± standard deviation) for subscales emotional, mind-body, relational, and social items were 62 (± 19), 75 (± 17), 82 (± 13), and 78 (± 14), respectively; the total FertiQoL score was 73 (± 12). The mean total FertiQoL score at initiation of a first treatment cycle did not differ between patients who continued vs. discontinued treatment in case of no pregnancy achievement in the first cycle (73) (± 10) vs. 74 (± 14), p = 0.46). Furthermore, the mean total FertiQoL score did not change after an unsuccessful first IVF cycle (74 vs. 76, p = 0.46).

CONCLUSIONS: There was no statistical difference in a small sample size for FertiQoL scores between all groups. In this study, FertiQoL scores were, therefore, not usable to predict withdrawal from infertility treatment.