| Literature DB >> 35278119 |
C A Jones1,2, L Hawkins1,3, Catherine Friedman4, J Hitkari5,6, E McMahon2,7, K B Born8.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To create a Choosing Wisely Canada list of the top 5 diagnostic and therapeutic interventions that should be questioned in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility in Canada.Entities:
Keywords: Assisted hatching; Cost effectiveness; DNA damage; Ethics; Gene mutations; Gonadotrophins; IVF/ICSI outcome; Infertility; Recurrent miscarriage
Mesh:
Year: 2022 PMID: 35278119 PMCID: PMC8917376 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-022-06453-z
Source DB: PubMed Journal: Arch Gynecol Obstet ISSN: 0932-0067 Impact factor: 2.493
Fig. 1Flow diagram of the modified Delphi consensus approach. Graphic created using Microsoft PowerPoint
Final recommendations list
| Recommendation number | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| 1 | Don’t routinely perform preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy screening on patients undergoing IVF |
| 2 | Don’t prescribe gonadotropins in doses of over 450 units daily for controlled ovarian stimulation in IVF |
| 3 | Don’t routinely perform laser-assisted hatching on fresh embryos prior to transfer |
| 4 | Don’t prescribe corticosteroids, IVIG, leukemia inhibitory factor, or lymphocyte immunization therapy for patients undergoing IVF, those with a history of recurrent implantation failure, or those with recurrent pregnancy loss |
| 5 | Don’t routinely perform sperm DNA fragmentation testing |
CFAS membership online survey demographics
| Professional background | |
| MD | 46 (35.7) |
| Nurse | 14 (10.9) |
| Embryologist | 41 (31.8) |
| Counselor | 8 (6.2) |
| Administrator | 2 (1.6) |
| Other | 21 (16.3) |
| Gender | |
| Male | 36 (27.9) |
| Female | 92 (71.3) |
| Prefer not to share | 1 (0.8) |
| Years working in fertility | |
| 0–5 years | 31 (24.2) |
| 6–10 years | 29 (22.7) |
| 11–20 years | 29 (22.7) |
| > 20 years | 39 (30.5) |
*Percentages are rounded to one decimal point, therefore, the sum of values in each category may not add to exactly 100
CFAS National Membership Survey Results for the Top 5 Items
| Item | Sum of very important and moderately important responses | Issue prevalence* | Cost* | Potential for harm* | Aggregate score (%) of issue prevalence, cost, and potential for harm | Recommended to include in Top 5 List* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. PGT | 54 (69.2) | 28 (50.91) | 55 (94.83) | 42 (73.68) | 73.1 | 40 (69.0) |
| 2. High dose gonadotropins | 49 (64.5) | 39 (70.91) | 42 (76.36) | 37 (67.27) | 71.5 | 30 (53.6) |
| 3. Assisted hatching | 49 (62.8) | 34 (59.65 | 37 (66.07) | 33 (58.93) | 61.6 | 29 (51.8) |
| 4. Immune therapy | 52 (67.5) | 17 (30.36) | 43 (78.18) | 43 (75.44) | 61.3 | 37 (66.1) |
| 5. DNA fragmentation | 54 (68.4) | 30 (54.55) | 46 (85.19) | 13 (24.07) | 54.6 | 31 (54.4) |
*Expressed as n (%) of respondents who answered “Yes,” in a yes or no question about whether the issue is prevalent, costly, has potential for harm, or should be in the top 5 list; note that respondents were able to skip questions
| 1.Don’t perform routine Vitamin D level testing |
| 2.Don’t perform routine mid-luteal progesterone testing in ovulation induction or stimulation cycles |
| 3.Don’t perform prolactin testing in routine infertility evaluation in asymptomatic women with regular menses |
| 4.Do not repeat anti-TPO antibody testing in a patient with a positive result |
| 5.Don’t perform routine sperm DNA fragmentation testing |
| 6.Don’t routinely order thrombophilia screening in patients undergoing fertility evaluation |
| 7.Don’t repeat routine thyroid function tests more frequently than every three months |
| 8.Don't rely on HSG to investigate the uterine cavity when suspecting a submucosal fibroid or endometrial polyp |
| 9.Don’t do luteal phase serum progesterone testing in infertile women with regular cycles |
| 10.Do not recommend basal body temperature monitoring for more than 2 menstrual cycles |
| 11.Do not routinely do hysteroscopy in patients after failed IVF cycles if transvaginal ultrasound is normal |
| 12.Do not give antibiotics for all routine screening sonohysterograms in the absence of risk factors for tubal disease |
| 13.Do not order serum progesterone levels to assess for a luteal phase defect |
| 14.Do not perform immunologic testing such as NK cell testing, HLA antibody testing and cytokine testing in the work-up of recurrent pregnancy loss |
| 15.Do not perform routine thalassemia screening. Reserve testing to those with low MCV and high risk ethnic groups |
| 16.Do not perform antisperm antibody testing in the routine evaluation of male factor infertility |
| 17.Do not order DHEA-S or total testosterone as a screening test in patients with PCOS |
| 18.Do not obtain mycoplasma/ureaplasma cervical swabs for patients with recurrent pregnancy loss |
| 19.Do not perform ICSI on patients where there is no clear indication |
| 20.Do not routinely perform "freeze all" cycles unless there is an indication |
| 21.Do not perform blastomere biopsies for preimplantation genetic diagnosis or screening |
| 22.Do not perform laser assisted hatching for fresh or frozen embryo transfer without a clear indication |
| 23.Do not use extended culture for embryo selection when there is only 1 viable embryo |
| 24.Do not use time lapse culture systems without a clear indication |
| 25.Do not use embryo culture additives |
| 26.Do not perform oocyte activation except in cases of failed fertilization with ICSI |
| 27.Do not routinely perform assisted hatching on all embryos |
| 28.Do not flush follicles at the time of egg retrieval |
| 29.Do not perform ICSI for unexplained infertility |
| 30.Do not prescribe high doses of gonadotropins for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in IVF for the purposes of intentionally overstimulating |
| 31.Do not use embryo glue |
| 32.Do not perform preimplantation genetic screening of embryos without first providing appropriate genetic counselling (i.e. by a genetic counsellor) with respect to the risks, benefits, limitations, etc |
| 33.Do not perform routine preimplantation genetic screening on all patients undergoing IVF without a clear indication |
| 34.Do not perform routine diagnostic laparoscopy or hysteroscopy in asymptomatic patients |
| 35.Do perform early OB ultrasounds in a fertility practice |
| 36.In patients with 1 year of unexplained infertility with normal ovarian reserve, continue to offer the option of expectant management (timed intercourse) for a limited time |
| 37.Do not routinely perform hysteroscopic resection of a uterine septum in asymptomatic women (if it is an incidental finding) |
| 38.Do not perform double intrauterine insemination (IUI) |
| 39.Do not recommend bed rest after embryo transfer |
| 40.Do not proceed straight to IVF in patients with a sole diagnosis of ovulatory dysfunction. Consider weight loss then oral agents, unless there are other factors at play |
| 41.Do not prescribe steroids, IVIG or lymphocyte immunization therapy for a history of recurrent pregnancy loss or recurrent implantation failure |
| 42.Don’t perform routine diagnostic laparoscopy for the evaluation of unexplained infertility |
| 43.Don’t perform advanced sperm function testing, such as sperm penetration or hemizona assays, in the initial evaluation of the infertile couple |
| 44.Don’t perform a postcoital test (PCT) for the evaluation of infertility |
| 45.Don’t routinely order thrombophilia testing on patients undergoing a routine infertility evaluation |
| 46.Don’t obtain a karyotype as part of the initial evaluation for amenorrhea |
| 47.Don’t prescribe testosterone or testosterone products to men contemplating/attempting to initiate pregnancy |
| 48.Don’t obtain follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels in women in their 40 s to identify the menopausal transition as a cause of irregular or abnormal menstrual bleeding |
| 49.Don't perform immunologic testing in routine infertility evaluation |
| 50.Don’t perform endometrial biopsy in the routine evaluation of infertility |